Effect of Paraffin Wax on Joint Contractures

Overview

Limited studies have objectively evaluated the benefit on skin pliability, and relieving itch and pain of paraffin wax, nor has paraffin wax treatment been compared to mineral oil, which is an ingredient in therapeutic paraffin wax. The objective of this study is to examine the immediate impact after paraffin treatment compared with mineral oil controls on joint passive range of motion.

The development of joint contractures after a burn injury represents one of the most important morbidities leading to reduced function and quality of life. Paraffin wax is commonly applied to contracted joints for its proposed benefits of increasing skin pliability, and/or relieving itch and pain. This pilot study will determine the feasibility of performing a fully powered study to objectively evaluate whether paraffin wax therapy significantly improves PROM in adult burn survivors with joint contractures of greater than 15% normal joint ROM (upper or lower extremity) compared to equivalent mineral oil treated joint contractures. This study will characterize the changes in PROM, AROM, itch, and pain in adult burn survivors immediately after the application of paraffin wax treatment relative to an intra-individual control scar treated with mineral oil. This will be a prospective, evaluator-blinded, intra-individual, randomized, controlled, pre-post pilot study.

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Central Contacts