High-dose Topical Zinc Oxide Promotes Healing Indices of Pressure Ulcers: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objective Pressure ulcers seriously affect patient quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of 25 zinc oxide topical cream on treating stage I and II pressure ulcers. Methods This randomized, double-blind clinical trial involved 60 patients, divided into the control group (n = 30) receiving a silver-containing dressing and the intervention group (n = 30) treated with 25 zinc oxide cream. Wound assessments were conducted on days 0, 7, and 14, alongside standard care. Results In the end, the intervention group showed significantly higher rates of "partial healing" and "peri-wound erythema reduction" than the control group (p(value) < .05). The intervention group's partial healing increased from 3.33 (day 7) to 83.34 (day 14) (p(value) < .05), whereas the control group reached from 26.67 to 60. On day 14, the intervention group experienced a 50 decrease in peri-wound erythema, while the control group only experienced a 9.5 reduction (p(value) < .05). Also, 3.33 of the intervention group achieved complete healing, while none in the control group did. Conclusion The findings suggest that 25 zinc oxide cream may function as an effective and cost-efficient alternative to conventional dressings in managing stage I and II pressure ulcers.