EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PUSH (PRESSURE ULCER SCALE FOR HEALING) SCALE IN ASSESSING THE HEALING OF VENOUS ULCERS TREATED CONVENTIONALLY OR WITH LASER THERAPY
Keywords:
Photobiomodulation, Venous Ulcer, Wound Healing, Laser, PUSH ToolAbstract
Venous ulcers represent a significant public health problem, affecting 1% to 3% of the population, particularly older adults, and generating high healthcare costs as well as a substantial impact on quality of life. In this context, standardized wound assessment is essential for safely monitoring healing progression. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of the PUSH Tool as a monitoring instrument for chronic wounds treated with conventional therapy or combined with photobiomodulation (PBM) using a Gallium Arsenide (AsGa) laser. Wound progression was recorded at two time points (day 0 and 15th session) using the PUSH Tool, which evaluates wound area, tissue type, and exudate amount. The wound area (cm²) was measured with a Vernier caliper (0–15 cm measuring range) and analyzed using ImageJ® software.The results demonstrated that the PUSH Tool was sensitive in detecting significant changes in the healing process, allowing for the identification of area reduction and improved tissue characteristics, regardless of the therapeutic modality used. Although the PBM group showed faster progression, the central finding of this study is the PUSH Tool’s capability to objectively, reproducibly, and clinically monitor the evolution of venous ulcers, highlighting its usefulness across services with varying resources and demands. It is concluded that the PUSH Tool is an essential instrument for the systematic follow-up of venous ulcers, contributing to safer therapeutic decision-making and to the standardization of clinical practice. Future studies should expand its application in diverse contexts and encourage the standardization of assessment protocols.
