| Burn
Study Results
The American Emu Association began working with
Dr. John Griswold, Director of Timothy J. Harnar Burn Center (affiliated
with Texas Tech University Medical Center in Lubbock), during the
first quarter of 1995. We agreed to a four to six month study to
analyze the potentially effective involvement of emu oil in the
healing process of burn wounds.
Healing burn wounds are painful and pose many
difficulties for the recovery of a burned patient. Inflammation,
lack of moisture, and wound sensitivity are often cited as impediments
to daily activities and therapy. Current emollients vary in their
ability to penetrate skin and decrease sensitivity and associated
pain. Adequate lubrication aids the healing process by providing
moisture in areas where sebaceous glands are depleted or currently
dysfunctional.
Inflammation is the normal response to healing
of a burn wound. This inflammation also causes scar tissue to form.
Approximately 2.5 million people seek medical attention of burn
injuries each year. Virtually all require some type of lubricant
application during their recovery. This provides a large segment
of the population with potential need for an emu oil product.
In a letter received from Dr. Griswold by the
American Emu Association in January, 1997, he said,"We now
have 10 patients with appropriate wounds who have completed at least
initial evaluation of approximately nine months that could be compared
in a treatment/control fashion in the same patient. This required
wounds that were completely separate in opposite sides of the body,
yet in areas that would heal similarly in order to appropriately
compare the emu oil versus a placebo. Two important results from
evaluation of this data are:
1. Comments from patients almost unanimously favored
emu oil as an end result and during application.
2. There was a unanimous difference noted in photographs
taken of the wounds as far as reduction in scarring and inflammation
done by three blinded observers as to which was emu, and which was
a control wound area. This difference was statistically significant.
"We are in the process of providing you more
in-depth details as to the complete study, patient demographics
and results."
During the American Burn Association meeting,
March 18-21, 1998, a poster presentation was made on the completed
study. The presentation was entitled: Evaluation of Emu Oil in Lubrication
and Treatment of Healed Burn Wounds. Accredited authors were M.
Pentur, PhD., RD; S. O’Banion, RPh; and J. Griswold, MD.
The full and complete abstract presented to the
American Burn Association reads,
"Emu Oil has been reported to have significant
anti-inflammatory effects, and has been used both in cosmetics and
therapeutic vehicles. This experiment was conducted to evaluate
emu oil as a lubricant and an aid in reducing scar formation in
healed burned wounds. Ten patients were evaluated in a randomized
double blind study for a minimum of 6 months. Patients served as
their own control by utilizing bilateral wound areas for application
of emu oil. (New Discoveries, Inc., Florence, MS), and the placebo
lubricant on independent sites respectively. Patients were instructed
to apply both lotions daily on an as-needed basis. During scheduled
out-patient clinic visits, patients’ wounds were evaluated
by the Vancouver Scar Assessment Scale. Photos were taken on each
clinic visit. Treatment ranged from 195 to 385 days before discontinuation.
All of the patients were men, ranging in age from 24 - 62 years.
Per scar assessment, significant differences were noted in pigmentation
and pliability (p<0.02). There were not differences noted in
vascularity and height of the healed wound, (p=0.08). Pictures were
scored by a four person blinded panel on pigmentation, scar maturation
and general health of the skin. Emu treated areas healed significantly
better (p<0.02) than control in photo analysis.
Statistics were calculated by analysis of variance, means were separated
with the F-protected predicted difference test. The results of this
pilot study are promising, however additional research is needed
to further elucidate the therapeutic qualities of this oil."
Now that the study has been presented in a peer-reviewed
context, the abstract can be cited in research studies. Proper citation
is: "Evaluation of Emu Oil in Lubrication and Treatment of
Healed Burn Wounds," S. O’Banion, J. Griswold, Texas
Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas. American
Burn Association, March 18, 1998, Chicago, Illinois.
In closing, because the study was thought to be
ground breaking at the time, our expectations were high. This study
now pales in comparison to current experiences of the benefits of
emu oil in wound healing.
By Margaret Pounder,
AEA President 1998, reprinted from
Summer 1998 EMU UPDATE Newsletter
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