A systematic review of whirlpool as an adjunctive treatment for cellulitis

Background

Patients with cellulitis are referred to physical therapy for whirlpool as an adjunctive treatment.

Objective

The purpose of this systematic review is to determine if whirlpool, as an adjunctive therapy, provides an additional benefit in adult patients with cellulitis.

Data sources

Data was collected from the following electronic databases: CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) – EBSCO Host, Cochrane Library, OVID-Medline, PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database), ProQuest, and PubMed.

Study selection

Studies published in English within the last ten years on adult human subjects (19 years and older) with cellulitis as the main skin condition and have received whirlpool as a form of adjunctive treatment were selected.

Data extraction

Data was collected from October 20, 2016 until January 25, 2017. Boolean search terms included: “cellulitis AND adjunct AND whirlpool”; “cellulitis AND whirlpool”, “cellulitis AND physical therapy”, and “cellulitis AND hydrotherapy.”

Results

After reviewing 478 studies from the search results, none of the studies could be used based on the inclusion criteria.

Limitations

Studies in English published within the last ten years, based on adult human subjects aged 19 years old and above with cellulitis and with whirlpool as an adjunctive treatment for cellulitis were considered for the review.

Conclusions

No conclusion could be reached from this systematic review since no study met the eligibility criteria from the results generated.