Medical Policy
Policy Num: 02.001.052
Policy Name: Noncontact Ultrasound Treatment for Wounds
Policy ID: [02.001.052] [Ac / B / M- / P-] [2.01.79]
Last Review: February 10, 2025
Next Review: February 20, 2026
Related Policies:
01.002.004 - Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in the Outpatient Setting
02.001.018 - Electrostimulation and Electromagnetic Therapy for Treating Wounds
Population Reference No. | Populations | Interventions | Comparators | Outcomes |
1 | Individuals: · With any wound type (acute or nonhealing) | Interventions of interest are: · Noncontact ultrasound therapy plus standard wound care | Comparators of interest are: · Standard wound care | Relevant outcomes include: · Symptoms · Change in disease status · Morbid events · Quality of life · Treatment-related morbidity |
Low-frequency ultrasound in the kilohertz range may improve wound healing. Several noncontact low-frequency ultrasound (NLFU) devices have received regulatory approval for wound treatment.
For individuals who have any wound type (acute or nonhealing) who receive noncontact ultrasound therapy plus standard wound care, the evidence includes randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews. Relevant outcomes are symptoms, change in disease status, morbid events, quality of life, and treatment-related morbidity. The single, double-blinded, sham-controlled randomized trial, which included patients with nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers, had substantial methodologic flaws (eg, high dropout rate, baseline differences between groups) that limit the validity of the findings. In the remaining studies comprising the evidence base, all but 1 RCT comparing NLFU with standard wound care reported improved (statistically significant) results on the primary outcome with NLFU. However, these studies also had several methodologic limitations. Complete healing is the most clinically relevant outcome. None of the RCTs evaluating venous leg ulcers reported complete healing as its primary outcome measure, and none had blinded outcome assessment. Only 1 RCT, which addressed split-thickness graft donor sites, reported on the proportion of patients with complete healing and had blinded outcome assessment. Another limitation of the body of evidence is that some standard of care interventions involved fewer visits than the NLFU intervention, and the differences in intensity of care resulting from this differential in face-to-face contact could partially explain the difference in findings between intervention and control groups. The evidence is insufficient to determine that the technology results in an improvement in the net health outcome.
Not applicable.
The objective of this evidence review is to evaluate the effectiveness of noncontact ultrasound in the treatment of wounds.
Noncontact ultrasound treatment for wounds is considered investigational.
See the Codes table for details.
BlueCard/National Account Issues
State or federal mandates (eg, Federal Employee Program) may dictate that certain U.S. Food and Drug Administration‒approved devices, drugs, or biologics may not be considered investigational, and thus these devices may be assessed only by their medical necessity.
Benefits are determined by the group contract, member benefit booklet, and/or individual subscriber certificate in effect at the time services were rendered. Benefit products or negotiated coverages may have all or some of the services discussed in this medical policy excluded from their coverage.
Ultrasound (US) delivers mechanical vibration above the upper threshold of human hearing (>20 kHz). US in the megahertz range (1-3 MHz) has been used to treat musculoskeletal disorders, often by physical therapists. Although the exact mechanism underlying its clinical effects is not known, therapeutic US has been shown to have a variety of effects at a cellular level, including angiogenesis, leukocyte adhesion, growth factor, collagen production, and increases in macrophage responsiveness, fibrinolysis, and nitric oxide levels. The therapeutic effects of US energy in the kilohertz range have also been examined. Although the precise effects are not known, the low-frequency US in this range may improve wound healing via the production, vibration, and movement of micron-sized bubbles in the coupling medium and tissue.
The mechanical energy from the US is typically transmitted to the tissue through a coupling gel. Several high-intensity US devices with contact probes are currently available for wound débridement. Low-intensity US devices have been developed that do not require coupling gel or other direct contact. The MIST Therapy System delivers a saline mist to the wound with low-frequency US (40 KHz). A second device, the Qoustic Wound Therapy System, also uses sterile saline to deliver US energy (35 KHz) for wound débridement and irrigation.
US is intended as an adjunct to standard wound care. Therefore, the evidence is needed that demonstrates US plus standard wound care provides superior wound closure outcomes compared with standard wound care alone.
The primary endpoints of interest for trials of wound closure are as follows, consistent with 2006 guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the industry in developing products for the treatment of chronic cutaneous ulcer and burn wounds1,:
Incidence of complete wound closure.
Time to complete wound closure (reflecting accelerated wound closure).
Incidence of complete wound closure following surgical wound closure.
Pain control.
In 2005, the MIST Therapy® device (Celleration) was cleared for marketing by the FDA through the 510(k) process “to promote wound healing through wound cleansing and maintenance debridement by the removal of yellow slough, fibrin, tissue exudates, and bacteria.”2, In February 2015, Celleration was acquired by Alliqua Biomedical (Langhorne, PA). In August 2020, Sanuwave acquired related UltraMIST System assets.
In 2007, the AR1000 Ultrasonic Wound Therapy System (Arobella Medical, Minnetonka, MN) was cleared for marketing by the FDA through the 510(k) process, listing the MIST Therapy® system and several other ultrasonic wound debridement and hydrosurgery systems as predicate devices. The AR1000 system probe uses “contact or noncontact techniques to achieve intended wound therapy modalities to promote wound healing."3,Indications in the 510(k) summary are listed as “Selective and non-selective dissection and fragmentation of soft and or hard tissue” and “Surgical, excisional or sharp-edge wound debridement (acute and chronic wounds, bums) for the removal of nonviable tissue including but not limited to diseased tissue, necrotic tissue, slough and eschar, fibrin, tissue exudates, bacteria and other matter.”3,This device is now known as the Qoustic Wound Therapy System™ (K131096).
Several other devices have been approved as being substantially equivalent to the earlier devices. FDA product code: NRB.
This evidence review was created in December 2007 and has been updated regularly with searches of the PubMed database. The most recent literature update was performed through December 23, 2024.
Evidence reviews assess the clinical evidence to determine whether the use of technology improves the net health outcome. Broadly defined, health outcomes are the length of life, quality of life, and ability to function¾including benefits and harms. Every clinical condition has specific outcomes that are important to patients and managing the course of that condition. Validated outcome measures are necessary to ascertain whether a condition improves or worsens; and whether the magnitude of that change is clinically significant. The net health outcome is a balance of benefits and harms.
To assess whether the evidence is sufficient to draw conclusions about the net health outcome of technology, two domains are examined: the relevance, and quality and credibility. To be relevant, studies must represent one or more intended clinical use of the technology in the intended population and compare an effective and appropriate alternative at a comparable intensity. For some conditions, the alternative will be supportive care or surveillance. The quality and credibility of the evidence depend on study design and conduct, minimizing bias and confounding that can generate incorrect findings. The randomized controlled trial (RCT) is preferred to assess efficacy; however, in some circumstances, nonrandomized studies may be adequate. RCTs are rarely large enough or long enough to capture less common adverse events and long-term effects. Other types of studies can be used for these purposes and to assess generalizability to broader clinical populations and settings of clinical practice.
This literature review focuses on evidence evaluating whether the addition of noncontact low-frequency ultrasound (NLFU) improves wound healing compared with standard treatment alone. Observational studies may be considered if they provide additional information on adverse events or durability.
Promotion of greater diversity and inclusion in clinical research of historically marginalized groups (e.g., People of Color [African-American, Asian, Black, Latino and Native American]; LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual); Women; and People with Disabilities [Physical and Invisible]) allows policy populations to be more reflective of and findings more applicable to our diverse members. While we also strive to use inclusive language related to these groups in our policies, use of gender-specific nouns (e.g., women, men, sisters, etc.) will continue when reflective of language used in publications describing study populations.
The purpose of noncontact low-frequency ultrasound therapy in individuals who have any wound type (acute or nonhealing) is to improve wound healing.
The question addressed in this evidence review is: Does the use of noncontact low-frequency ultrasound therapy improve the net health outcome in individuals with any wound type (acute or nonhealing)?
The following PICO was used to select literature to inform this review.
The relevant population(s) of interest are individuals with any wound type (acute or nonhealing).
The therapy being considered is noncontact low-frequency ultrasound therapy.
The following therapies/tools/rules/practices are currently being used to make decisions about wound care: Standard wound care.
The general outcomes of interest are symptoms, change in disease status, morbid events, quality of life, and treatment-related morbidity.
Study Selection Criteria
Methodologically credible studies were selected using the following principles:
To assess efficacy outcomes, comparative controlled prospective trials were sought, with a preference for RCTs;
In the absence of such trials, comparative observational studies were sought, with a preference for prospective studies.
To assess long-term outcomes and adverse events, single-arm studies that capture longer periods of follow-up and/or larger populations were sought.
Studies with duplicative or overlapping populations were excluded.
Tricco et al (2015) published an overview of systematic reviews on treatments for complex wounds, which reviewed multiple therapies including ultrasound.4, The review by Voigt et al (2011) was included. Conclusions related to ultrasound therapy are summarized in Table 1.
Disorder | Intervention | Outcomes | Type of Review | QOE | Conclusion |
Venous ulcer | US | Time to healing/rate of healing | SR w/o MA | Low/moderate | No difference |
Venous ulcer | HFUS, LFUS, US | Proportion of patients with healed wounds | SR with MA | High | No difference |
Mixed arterial/ venous ulcer | US | Wound area/size reduction | SR with MA | Low/moderate | Effective |
Diabetic ulcer | US | Ulcer healing | SR w/o MA | Low/moderate | No difference |
Pressure ulcer | US | Wound area/size reduction, time to healing/rate of healing | SR w/o MA | Low/moderate | No difference |
Pressure ulcer | US | Proportion of patients with healed wounds | SR with MA | High and low/moderate | No difference |
Pressure ulcer | US | Proportion of patients with healed wounds | SR w/o MA | Low/moderate | Uncertain (conflicting evidence or indeterminate) |
Adapted from Trico et al (2015).4, HFUS: high-frequency ultrasound; LFUS: low-frequency ultrasound; MA: meta-analysis; QOE: quality of evidence; SR: systematic review; US: ultrasound; w/o: without.
Tables 2 and 3 summarize systematic reviews that compare results from NLFU with standard care. The Voigt et al (2011) systematic review only included RCTs; studies used contact or noncontact ultrasound for treating chronic lower-limb wounds.5, Five RCTs on NLFU were identified, 1 of which was unpublished. A pooled analysis of 2 sham-controlled trials found a significantly smaller proportion of nonhealed wounds at 3 months in the NLFU group than in the control group (relative risk, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.58 to 0.95; p=0.02). The 2 NLFU studies were those by Ennis et al (2005), described in the following section,6, and by Peschen et al (1997),7, which delivered ultrasound therapy with a dated device during foot bathing. A systematic review by Chang et al (2017)8, included all study types; however, only 2 of the RCTs (Ennis et al [2005]6, and Kavros et al [2007]9,) were included. Chang et al (2017) did not include meta-analyses, and the narrative synthesis did not provide complete information on the range of comparative effects; therefore, it is not included in the tables below.
Study (Year) | Dates | Studies | Participants | N (Range) | Design | Duration, mo |
Voight et al (2011)5, | Up to Mar 2011 | 2 | Patients with chronic lower-limb wounds | 22-55 | RCTs | 2-3 |
RCT: randomized controlled trial.
Study (Year) | Time to Complete Wound Healing | % Nonhealed Wounds at 3 mo | Pain Outcomes | Safety Outcomes |
Voight et al (2011)5, | ||||
Total N | NR | 77 | NR | NR |
Pooled effect (95% CI) | RR=0.74 (0.58 to 0.95), p=0.02 | |||
I2, % | 0 |
CI: confidence interval; NR: not reported; RR, relative risk.
One double-blind, multicenter, sham-controlled trial and a number of unblinded RCTs comparing NLFU with standard wound care alone have been performed. Trials including at least 25 patients are described in the Tables 4-7 and the following text. All RCTs used MIST therapy and, other than Beheshti et al (2014)10, and Olyaie et al (2013),11, which did not report funding sources, all were industry-funded. One study addressed diabetic foot ulcers. Four RCTs included patients with venous leg ulcers and another evaluated treatment of split-thickness graft donor sites. All studies except that on split-thickness graft donor sites included patients with nonhealing wounds; eligibility criteria included wounds that had not healed after at least 4 weeks. Standard care interventions varied, but generally consisted of wound cleaning, noncontact dressings, compression and, if deemed necessary by providers, debridement. In 2 studies (White et al [2016]12,, Gibbons et al [2015]13,), authors mentioned following national guidelines for the standard of care intervention. Prather et al (2015)14, did not describe the standard care intervention and Beheshti et al (2014) reported only that compression was used.
Interventions | ||||||
Author (Year) | Countries | Sites | Dates | Participants | Active | Comparator |
White et al (2016)12, | UK | 1 | Aug 2012-Nov 2013 | Patients with venous leg ulcers (≥6 wk) |
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Gibbons et al (2015)13, | US | 22 | Apr 2012-Mar 2014 | Patients with venous leg ulcers (≥30 d) |
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Prather et al (2015)14, | US | 1 | Feb 2012-Jul 2013 | Patients with split-thickness graft donor sites |
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Olyaie et al (2013)11, | Iran | 1 | Apr 2011-Apr 2012 | Patients with venous leg ulcers (≥4 wk) |
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Beheshti et al (2014)10, | Iran | 1 | Apr 2011- Aug 2012 | Patients with venous leg ulcers (≥4 wk) |
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Kavros et al (2007)9, | US | 1 | 2004-2006 | Patients with nonhealing foot, ankle, or leg wounds (≥8 wk) |
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Ennis et al (2005)6, | US, Canada | 26 | NR | Patients with diabetic foot ulcers |
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NLFU: noncontact low-frequency ultrasound; NR: not reported; RCT: randomized controlled trial; SOC: standard of care. a Includes trials with ≥25 participants.
Study (Year) | Time to Complete Wound Healing | % With Complete Wound Healing | Change in Wound Size | Pain Outcomes | Adverse Events |
At 8 Wk | Mean % Change in Wound Area at 8 Wk | Mean Reduction in VAS Pain Score at 8 Wk | No. of Events | ||
White et al (2016)12, | |||||
N | NR | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
NLFU+SOC | 3 (16%) | -46.6% | -14.35 | 24 | |
SOC | 1 (6%) | -39.2% | -5.27 | 36 | |
TE (95% CI) | NR | Diff = -7.4 (-33.4 to 18.6); p=0.57 | Diff = -9.08 (-19.23 to 1.06); p=0.08 | NR | |
At 7 Wk | Mean % Change In Wound Area at 4 Wk | Mean % Reduction in VAS Pain Score at 4 Wk | |||
Gibbons et al (2015)13, | |||||
N | NR | 81 | 81 | 81 | NR |
NLFU+SOC | 11 (28%) | -61.6% | -80% | ||
SOC | 6 (15%) | -45.0% | -20% | ||
TE (95% CI) | NR | Diff/CI NR; p=0.02 | Diff/CI NR; p=0.01 | ||
At 14 Days | Mean VAS Pain Score at 3 Wk | ||||
Prather et al (2015)14, | |||||
N | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
NLFU+SOC | 12.1 d | 92% | 0.04 | ||
SOC | 21.3 d | 64% | 1.0 | ||
TE (95% CI) | HR/CI NR; p=0.04 | NR | NR | ||
Mean Wound Size at 4 Mo | Pain on 0-20 Scale at 4 Mo | ||||
Olyaie et al (2013)11, | |||||
N | 90 | NR | 90 | 90 | NR |
HFUS+SOC | 6.86 mo | 3.23 cm2 | 3.96 | ||
NLFU+SOC | 6.65 mo | 2.72 cm2 | 3.26 | ||
SOC | 8.50 mo | 4.28 cm2 | 5.10 | ||
TE (95% CI) | Diff/CI NR; between 3 groups p=0.001 | Diff/CI NR; between 3 groups p=0.02 | Diff/CI NR; between 3 groups p=0.02 | ||
Pain on 0-20 Scale at 4 Mo | |||||
Beheshti et al (2014)10, | |||||
N | 90 | NR | NR | NR | |
HFUS+SOC | 6.10 mo | 4.20 | |||
NLFU+SOC | 5.70 mo | 4.20 | |||
SOC | 8.13 mo | 6.56 | |||
TE (95% CI) | Diff/CI NR; p<0.001b | Diff/CI NR; p<0.001b | |||
% With 50% Reduction in Wound Volume at 12 Wk | |||||
Kavros et al (2007)9, | |||||
N | NR | NR | NR | NR | |
NLFU+SOC | 63% | ||||
SOC | 29% | ||||
TE (95% CI) | Ratio/CI NR; p<0.001 | ||||
At 10 Wk | No. With Pain During Treatment, Pain Scale Not Described | % of Patients With Event | |||
Ennis et al (2005)6, | |||||
N | 55c | 133 | NR | 133 | 133 |
NLFU+SOC | 9.2 wk | 26% | 1 |
| |
SOC | 11.0 wk | 22% | 3 |
| |
TE (95% CI) | HR NR; p<0.014 | Ratio/CI NR; p=0.69 | Ratios/CIs NR; p=0.27 |
CI: confidence interval; Diff: difference; HFUS: high-frequency ultrasound; HR: hazard ratio; NLFU: noncontact low-frequency ultrasound; NR: not reported; RCT: randomized controlled trial; SOC: standard of care; TE: treatment effect; VAS: visual analog scale. a Includes trials with ≥25 participants. b The comparison for this p-value is unclear. c Per-protocol analysis.
Limitations in the body of evidence are summarized in Tables 6 and 7 and the following paragraphs. Ennis et al (2005) published findings of a double-blind, multicenter, sham-controlled trial of MIST therapy for recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcers in 133 patients.6, Patients were treated with active or sham MIST therapy 3 times per week, with debridement as needed and a weekly evaluation by an independent investigator. Twenty-four patients were lost to follow-up, and data from 54 patients were excluded from analysis due to protocol violations (5 centers inverted the treatment distances for the active and sham devices), leaving 55 (41%) patients for the per-protocol analysis. Investigators reported significant improvement in the active treatment group (11/27 [41%] patients) compared with the control group (4/28 [14%] patients) in the proportion of wounds healed (defined as complete epithelialization without drainage). However, intention-to-treat analysis showed no difference in wound healing between the active (n=70 [26%]) and control (n= 63 [22%]) groups. In addition to the 59% loss to follow-up, there was a difference in the ulcer area at baseline (1.7 cm2vs 4.4 cm2, respectively) and chronicity of wounds (35 weeks vs 67 weeks, respectively) that favored MIST therapy in the per-protocol groups. Due to the serious limitations of this trial, these results are considered inconclusive.
In the White et al (2016),12, Gibbons et al (2015),13, and Prather et al (2015)14, studies, patients, and providers were not blinded, but outcome assessment was blinded. The other studies did not mention blinding. All but 1 RCT reported improved (statistically significant) results for the primary outcome with NLFU than with standard of care. However, these studies had methodologic limitations. Regarding outcome assessment, complete healing is considered the most clinically relevant outcome.15, Complete healing was reported in a subset of the studies, and most were not powered for this outcome or the outcome used to power the study was unclear. Only Prather et al (2015)14,and Ennis et al (2005)6, conducted blinded outcome assessments and reported complete healing. Another limitation of the body of evidence is that some of the standard care interventions involved different visit schedules than the NLFU intervention, and the effects of this differential in face-to-face contact could partially explain the difference in findings between intervention and control groups.
Study | Population | Intervention | Comparator | Outcomes | Follow-Up |
White et al (2016)12, | 3. Follow-up schedule for SOC involved fewer visits than NLFU | 3. Follow-up schedule for SOC involved fewer visits than NLFU | |||
Gibbons et al (2015)13, | 3. Adverse events not reported | ||||
Prather et al (2015)14, | 1. Did not describe SOC | 3. Adverse events not reported | |||
Olyaie et al (2013)11, | 3. Adverse events not reported | ||||
Beheshti et al (2014)10, | 2. Only compression used3. Details about frequency of SOC administration not provided | 3. Adverse events not reported | |||
Kavros et al (2007)9, | 3. Follow-up more intensive in SOC | 3. Follow-up more intensive in SOC | 1. Complete wound healing not reported 3. Adverse events not reported | ||
Ennis et al (2005)6, | None noted | None noted | None noted | None noted | None noted |
NLFU: noncontact low-frequency ultrasound; SOC: standard of care The study limitations stated in this table are those notable in the current review; this is not a comprehensive gaps assessment. a Population key: 1. Intended use population unclear; 2. Clinical context is unclear; 3. Study population is unclear; 4. Study population not representative of intended use. b Intervention key: 1. Not clearly defined; 2. Version used unclear; 3. Delivery not similar intensity as comparator; 4.Not the intervention of interest. c Comparator key: 1. Not clearly defined; 2. Not standard or optimal; 3. Delivery not similar intensity as intervention; 4. Not delivered effectively. d Outcomes key: 1. Key health outcomes not addressed; 2. Physiologic measures, not validated surrogates; 3. No CONSORT reporting of harms; 4. Not establish and validated measurements; 5. Clinical significant difference not prespecified; 6. Clinical significant difference not supported. e Follow-Up key: 1. Not sufficient duration for benefit; 2. Not sufficient duration for harms.
Study | Allocation | Blinding | Selective Reporting | Follow-Up | Power | Statistical |
White et al (2016)12, |
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Gibbons et al (2015)13, |
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Prather et al (2015)14, |
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Olyaie et al (2013)11, |
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Beheshti et al (2014)10, |
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Kavros et al (2007)9, |
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Ennis et al (2005)6, | 1, 5. High number of protocol deviations and exclusions |
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RCT: randomized controlled trials. The study limitations stated in this table are those notable in the current review; this is not a comprehensive gaps assessment. a Allocation key: 1. Participants not randomly allocated; 2. Allocation not concealed; 3. Allocation concealment unclear; 4. Inadequate control for selection bias. b Blinding key: 1. Not blinded to treatment assignment; 2. Not blinded outcome assessment; 3. Outcome assessed by treating physician. c Selective Reporting key: 1. Not registered; 2. Evidence of selective reporting; 3. Evidence of selective publication. d Data Completeness key: 1. High loss to follow-up or missing data; 2. Inadequate handling of missing data; 3. High number of crossovers; 4. Inadequate handling of crossovers; 5. Inappropriate exclusions; 6. Not intent to treat analysis (per protocol for noninferiority trials). e Power key: 1. Power calculations not reported; 2. Power not calculated for primary outcome; 3. Power not based on clinically important difference. f Statistical key: 1. Analysis is not appropriate for outcome type: (a) continuous; (b) binary; (c) time to event; 2. Analysis is not appropriate for multiple observations per patient; 3. Confidence intervals and/or p values not reported; 4.Comparative treatment effects not calculated.
Summary of Evidence
For individuals who have any wound type (acute or nonhealing) who receive noncontact ultrasound therapy plus standard wound care, the evidence includes randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews. The relevant outcomes are symptoms, change in disease status, morbid events, quality of life, and treatment-related morbidity. The single, double-blinded, sham-controlled randomized trial, which included patients with nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers, had substantial methodologic flaws (eg, high dropout rate, baseline differences between groups) that limit the validity of the findings. In the remaining studies comprising the evidence base, all but one RCT comparing NLFU with standard wound care reported improved (statistically significant) results on the primary outcome with NLFU. However, these studies also had several methodologic limitations. Complete healing is the most clinically relevant outcome. None of the RCTs evaluating venous leg ulcers reported complete healing as its primary outcome measure, and none had blinded outcome assessment. Only one RCT, which addressed split-thickness graft donor sites, reported on the proportion of patients with complete healing and had blinded outcome assessment. Another limitation of the body of evidence is that some standard of care interventions involved fewer visits than the NLFU intervention, and the differences in intensity of care resulting from this differential in face-to-face contact could partially explain the difference in findings between intervention and control groups. The evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes.
Population Reference No. 1 Policy Statement | [ ] MedicallyNecessary | [X] Investigational |
The purpose of the remaining sections in Supplemental Information is to provide reference material regarding existing practice guidelines and position statements, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations and Medicare National Coverage Decisions and registered, ongoing clinical trials. Inclusion in the Supplemental Information does not imply endorsement and information may not necessarily be used in formulating the evidence review conclusions.
Guidelines or position statements will be considered for inclusion in ‘Supplemental Information’ if they were issued by, or jointly by, a US professional society, an international society with US representation, or National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Priority will be given to guidelines that are informed by a systematic review, include strength of evidence ratings, and include a description of management of conflict of interest.
In 2010 , the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC) published guidelines on the care of pressure ulcers.16, Noncontact low-frequency ultrasound therapy was included as a potential second-line intervention if first-line treatments did not result in wound healing.
The AAWC guidelines on the treatment of venous ulcers, updated in 2015, stated that low-frequency ultrasound treatment requires additional evidence before it can be considered an appropriate treatment.17,
In 2014, the Society for Vascular Surgery in collaboration with the American Venous Forum published joint guidelines on the management of venous leg ulcers.18, The guidelines recommended adjuvant wound therapy options for venous leg ulcers that fail to demonstrate improvement after 4 to 6 weeks of standard wound therapy (strength of recommendation: grade 1; quality of evidence: level B), but recommended against routine ultrasound therapy for venous leg ulcers (strength of recommendation: grade 2; quality of evidence: level B). This guideline is currently archived.
In 2016, the Society for Vascular Surgery in collaboration with the American Podiatric Medical Association published joint guidelines on the management of diabetic foot ulcers.19, The guidelines recommended adjuvant therapy for diabetic foot ulcers that fail to demonstrate more than 50% wound area reduction after 4 weeks of standard wound therapy. The adjunctive wound therapy options listed in the guidelines included negative pressure therapy, biologics (platelet-derived growth factor, living cellular therapy, extracellular matrix products, amniotic membrane products), and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Ultrasound therapy was not mentioned as a recommended adjuvant option.
Not applicable.
There is no national coverage determination. In the absence of a national coverage determination, coverage decisions are left to the discretion of local Medicare carriers.
A search of ClinicalTrials.gov in December 2024 did not identify any ongoing or unpublished trials that would likely influence this review.
Codes | Number | Description |
---|---|---|
CPT | 97610 | Low frequency, non-contact, non-thermal ultrasound, including topical application(s), when performed, wound assessment, and instruction(s) for ongoing care, per day |
ICD-10-CM | Investigational for all diagnoses | |
E08.621, E08.622, E09.621, E09.622, E10.621, E10.622, E11.621, E11.622,E13.621, E13.622 | Various types of diabetes with skin complications (foot ulcer or other skin ulcer) code list | |
I83.001-I83.029; I83.201-I83.229 | Varicose veins with ulcer code range | |
L00-L08.9 | Infections of the skin code range (includes cellulitis – L03) | |
L89.000-L89.96 | Pressure ulcer code range | |
L97.101-L97.929 | Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin code range | |
L98.411-L98.499 | Non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin not otherwise classified code range | |
L99 | Other disorders of skin and subcutaneous tissue in diseases classified elsewhere | |
ICD-10-PCS | ICD-10-PCS codes are only used for inpatient services. There is no specific ICD-10-PCS code for the initiation or application of this therapy. | |
Type of Service | Medical | |
Place of Service | Outpatient |
N/A
Date | Action | Description |
---|---|---|
02/10/2025 | Annual Review | Policy updated with literature review through December 23, 2024; no references added. Policy statement unchanged. |
02/12/2024 | Annual Review | Policy updated with literature review through December 29, 2023; no references added. Policy statement unchanged. |
02/07/2023 | Annual Review | Policy updated with literature review through October 17, 2022; no references added. Policy statement unchanged. |
02/07/2022 | Annual Review | Policy updated with literature review through October 18, 2021; no references added. Policy statement unchanged. |
02/01/2021 | Annual Review | Policy updated with literature review through October 19, 2020; no references added. Policy statement unchanged. |
02/24/2020 | Policy Reviewed | Policy updated with literature review through November 1, 2019; no references added. Policy statement unchanged. |
01/22/2020 | Annual revision | No changes. |
01/18/2019 | Annual revision | Policy updated with literature review through November 1, 2018; no references added. Policy statement unchanged. |
01/13/2017 | ||
01/14/2016 | ||
12/20/2014 | New Policy |