AEA EMU OIL
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 |
