The efficacy of honey and a Thai Herbal Oil preparation in the treatment of pressure ulcers based on Thai traditional medicine wound diagnosis versus standard practice: An open-label randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Scientific support for Thai traditional medicine (TTM) practice is warranted for reintroduction into modern healthcare systems. A promising TTM practice for treatment of pressure ulcers was selected to conduct a clinical trial. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the TTM practice for the treatment of pressure ulcers using honey or a Thai Herbal Oil preparation (THO) based on the TTM wound diagnosis comparing with the standard practice. METHODS: The study design was an open-label randomized controlled trial. Sixty-six participants, with pressure ulcers at least stage II-IV or unstageable, were allocated to two groups via minimization. A TTM practice group received honey or THO depending on the TTM diagnosis via the Thai Traditional Medicine Pressure Ulcer Assessment Tool (TTM-PUAT). A standard practice group received advanced dressings, including hydrogel, alginate, silver-impregnated, or hydrocolloid dressings. The primary outcome was the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH). RESULTS: Both TTM practice and standard practice showed a significant reduction in PUSH scores after treatments. However, there was no significant difference in PUSH score reduction between the groups. The mean PUSH score reduction over the 6-week period was 2.58 ± 3.38 (95% CI 1.34–3.82) in the TTM practice group and 3.24 ± 3.49 (95% CI 1.91–4.57) in the standard practice group (p = 0.284). The TTM practice and standard practice accelerated pressure ulcer healing without statistically significant difference between the practices, during 6 weeks in a home-based care setting. This finding supported the TTM practice as an alternative treatment for pressure ulcer.