Objective To investigate the effects of autologous platelet-rich gel (APG) combined with intelligent trauma negative-pressure comprehensive therapeutic instrument on patients with refractory diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Methods A total of 80 patients with refractory DFU treated in the hospital from January 2015 to January 2017 were divided into the trial group (n=40) and the control group (n=40) by the random number table method. The patients in the two groups were given routine treatment, and on the basis, the patients in the control group were treated with the intelligent trauma negative-pressure comprehensive therapeutic instrument while the ones in the trial group were treated with APG combined with intelligent trauma negative-pressure therapeutic instrument alternately. All patients were observed for 12 weeks. The cure rates, healing time and changes of wound volumes in the two groups before treatment and at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment were recorded. Results The total effective rate of treatment in the trial group was higher than that in the control group (87.5% vs. 67.5%, P<0.05). The wound volumes in the two groups at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment were smaller than those before treatment and at 2 weeks after treatment (P<0.05). The wound volumes in the trial group at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment were significantly smaller than those in the control group (P<0.05). The healing times of Wagner Ⅱ and Ⅲ DFU in the trial group were significantly shorter than those in the control group [(24.71±4.29)vs. (33.84±6.09) days, P<0.05; (33.04±5.97)vs. (45.29±7.05) days, P<0.05]. Conclusion Alternate treatment with APG combined with intelligent trauma negative-pressure comprehensive therapeutic instrument for refractory DFU can promote wound healing, shorten wound healing time, and improve the clinical efficacy.