Microcurrent therapy effective as adjunct in improving chronic ulcers

The application of microcurrent across or near the site of chronic ulcers results in reduction in wound area and pain score during the treatment period.

Speaking at the recent Integrative Medicine Seminar, organized by the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) in Petaling Jaya, Professor Dr Harikrishna Nair said the finding of the study, together with its ease of use suggests microcurrent devices should see more use in the field of wound care and healing. Harikrishna is head of the Wound Care Unit at Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

With regard to microcurrent therapy, Harikrishna presented the findings of a study carried out in Hospital Kuala Lumpur, where a total of 100 patients suffering from chronic wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers, were enrolled. Over the course of 4 weeks of treatment, all patients exhibited a reduction in the size of their wounds, with 16 individuals achieving complete wound closure. Among the 100 patients who initially reported experiencing pain associated with their wounds, 89 of them saw a notable decrease in their pain scores, and by the end of the 4-week period, 11 patients were entirely free from pain. [J Wound Care 2018;27(5):296–306]

The study revealed a significant reduction (p<0.001) in both the average pain score and the average wound area during the treatment period. Furthermore, there were improvements in various other parameters, including a decrease in inflammatory symptoms such as leg swelling and foot stiffness, enhanced vasodilation indicated by changes in skin coloration, reduced leg heaviness, improved early morning erection and sensation, better sleep quality, improved gait, and a more regular frequency of bowel movements. Importantly, no adverse events were reported during the study.
The results of this study show there was significant reduction in wound area and pain score during the treatment period. The ease of use of microcurrent devices would advocate its use in accelerating wound healing.

How it works
Electromedicine, which involves the application of electrical energy for medical diagnosis and treatment, has been a longstanding practice in the field of medicine, with centuries of historical use. Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated favorable outcomes related to wound healing through the application of electrical stimulation, and this approach has been integrated into clinical practice to expedite the closure of chronic wounds. [J Wound Care 2018;27(5):296–306]

Microcurrent therapy represents a specific form of electrical stimulation characterized by its use of microampere (μA) level electrical currents, which are a millionth of an ampere and fall below the threshold of sensation. These minute pulsating currents closely mimic the naturally occurring electrical currents found at the cellular level within the body, known for their ability to stimulate cellular physiology and promote cellular growth. Consequently, microcurrent therapy has the capacity to penetrate cells, unlike other electrical stimulation devices that primarily target muscles, tissues, and fascia while bypassing cells. This unique characteristic of microcurrent therapy becomes especially advantageous in cases where the body’s innate healing mechanisms have proven insufficient.

The theory behind microcurrent therapy revolves around the idea that healthy tissue is the result of a continuous flow of electrical current throughout the body. When an injury occurs at a specific location, it disrupts the balance of electrical currents, causing them to divert from their normal course and lose their ability to communicate effectively with the rest of the body. Microcurrent therapy serves to realign this flow, facilitating tissue repair. Each cell in the body operates at its own distinct frequency, which can be disturbed by injury or disease. Microcurrent therapy simply restores these natural frequencies within the cells, resulting in improvements in inflammation and overall cellular function.