Promoting tissue healing with electrotherapy and laser: understanding therapeutic actions, including prevention, assessment and treatment of chronic wounds

Brief outline (Detailed outline)

This session aims to give physiotherapists a broad understanding of factors that impact wound healing and the application of electrophysical agents. The evidence supporting use of laser therapy, ultraviolet-C, electrical stimulation and ultrasound to improve tissue healing will be explored and the most beneficial dosing parameters will be presented. The session includes hands-on practice using state-of-the-art equipment and makes use of life-like wound models and video of patient treatments.

Objectives

• Participants will be able to assess and stage wounds, understand risk factors for chronic wound development and appreciate the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to patients with wounds.
• At the end of the session participants will understand the biophysical basis and effectiveness of laser therapy and be able to select optimal laser dosing parameters to improve tissue repair.
• At the end of the session participants will be able to demonstrate adequate proficiency in using different types of laser units for tissue healing and applying UVC and Estim to wounds.

Organiser

Ethne Nussbaum (Canada)

Ethne Nussbaum, PhD., MEd., BScPT is Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, and Graduate Department of Rehab Sciences at University of Toronto. She is also currently a faculty member within the Masters of Clinical Science degree in the wound healing field at the University of Western Ontario and an adjunct scientist at Toronto Rehab.  Her research activities can be divided into three main areas directly related to the use of EPAs: biophysical interactions, efficacy studies and knowledge transfer, and her research is published in international journals. She is currently leading a study on the effects of UV-C on pressure ulcers in people with spinal cord injury in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. She treats patients with wounds and runs a diabetic foot-care clinic at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. She is frequently invited to instruct courses on wound management and on use of EPAs.  She received the prestigious Silver Quill Award in 2007 for the best quantitative research in Physiotherapy Canada and has also received the Colin Wolff Award for excellence in Continuing Medical Education, University of Toronto. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Society of Electrophysical Agents. She has held numerous research grants including from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation and the Bickell Foundation of Canada.

Speakers

Philip Gabel (Australia)

Credentials: Sports and Spinal Physiotherapist, MSc (Res), PhD Candidate 2010 completion, Grad Sc (Res, - Laser Therapy). Position and Professional Practice: Principle physiotherapist, private practitioner, researcher - University Sunshine Coast - Australia.  Presentations: Lecturer Aust Physio Assoc - tutorials and information Laser Therapy 2003-05, Private seminars and education sessions 1999 - 2005 UK and Australia.  Publications: Laser and Axoplasmic Flow 1998 Laser Therapy, Tissue Permeability with LLLT - Case Study - Aust J Physio 1995, Book Chapter Headaches and trigger point management wth  LLLT 2009; LLLT influence on Sperm Motility - under Submission 2010.  Professional Practice: Clinician and researcher.  Memberships: Australian Physiotherapy Association, Australian Medical Laser Association - committee and founding member.

Jan Bjordal (Norway)

Credentials: Physical Therapist  Bergen University College, PhD University of Bergen, Norway 2003.  Positions: Specialist Orthopedic & Rheumatological Rehab.  Teaching: Visiting Professor Leeds Met. University, UK 2009-2011, Postdoctoral partly at University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.  Publications/Research information: 38 International presentations, 51 Scientific publications on Medline.  Memberships: President World Association for Laser Therapy. Member Norwegian PT Assoc., former Leader Specialist Board Norway, Board member ISEPA,  Editorial Board Member Phys Ther Rev & Photomed Laser Surg, Fisioterapia & Pesquisa Brasileiro.

Pamela Houghton (Canada)

Pamela E. Houghton, HBSc, BScPT, PhD is Associate Professor in School of Physical therapy and Chair of the Graduate Program in Health & Rehabilitation Sciences in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario.  She developed and launched the new Masters program in the field of wound healing. This Master of clinical science (MClSc) graduate degree provides specialized training to Physical Therapists and other health care professionals treating people with chronic wounds and uses in part distance education methods.  As a former board member of the Canadian Association of Wound Care (CAWC) she participated in the development of Best Practice Recommendations for the treatment of pressure ulcers and venous leg ulcers.  Dr. Houghton leads an active research program at Western that is directed at developing valid wound assessment tools and evaluating the ability of electrophysical agents (EPAs) to speed closure of various types of chronic wounds. She has just completed a clinical trial that demonstrated successful integration of electrical stimulation therapy (EST) into a community based treatment program for people with pressure ulcers and spinal cord injury.  She has authored several book chapters, published over 50 original research articles, and provided numerous continuing education workshops about the cellular and physiological effects, clinical research evidence, and specific application techniques of various EPAs including EST.  Pamela is a licensed Physical Therapist and the owner of a private practice “Wound Care Physiotherapy” that is a community based service dedicated to providing advanced wound therapies to patients with chronic wounds.

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Programme subject to change.