Objective: This cohort study evaluated the clinical efficacy of singlet oxygen, ActiMaris (AM) a hypertonic (3%) ionised (pH 9.8) sea water solution. It was assumed that when used for wound cleansing, disinfection and the reduction of inflammation, AM would be safe and effective.
Method: Between May 2008 and May 2009, ambulant patients presenting at one of four wound healing centres were included in the study. Patients had critically colonised and/or infected, malodorous wounds, covered with slough/fibrin or wounds showing inflammation of the periwound skin. Wounds were assessed in terms of percentage changes in fibrin, slough and granulation tissue, they were assessed clinically and high resolution digital photographs were scored by a physician who was blinded to treatment allocation. Results were compared at baseline (week 0) and following 42 days of AM treatment (week 6).
Results: Seventy-three patients were included in the analysis. Dressing changes were at 2-day intervals on average, and the median treatment period was 46.04 days (range: 3-197). At 42 days, 33% (n=24) of included wounds had healed, 57% (n=42) had improved and 10% (n=7) remained stagnant. Cleansing and wound disinfection with AM was effective. In 31 patients (42%) wounds had showed clinical signs and symptoms of critical colonisation and/or infection at day 0, whereas at day 42 the infection was completely eradicated. Inflammation was reduced in 60% (n=44) of cases and patients did not report pain or discomfort when using AM.
Conclusion: The use of singlet oxygen was shown to be safe and the results of this study indicate AM to be useful for wound cleansing, disinfection, reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing.
Conflict of interest: The centres were supplied with the study product by the sponsor. The authors have no financial interest in writing this article.