Bioelectricity and microcurrent therapy for tissue healing – a narrative review

Abstract

Background: Microcurrent therapy (MCT) uses electric currents similar to those produced by the body during tissue healing. It may be a particularly beneficial where endogenous healing has failed. Aim: To review evidence regarding microcurrent in tissue healing and the application of MCT. Methods: All peer-reviewed studies concerning microcurrent and MCT were sought, and representative literature was synthesised to indicate the scope and weight of current evidence.Results: Microcurrent appears to play a significant role in the healing process, and MCT can promote healing in a variety of bone and skin lesions. The evidence for other tissues is encouraging but presently scant. Conclusion: MCT may have unrealised potential in the treatment of dysfunctional tissue healing and deserves greater attention by researchers and clinicians.

Implantation of a Novel Biologic and Hybridized Tissue Engineered Bioimplant in Large Tendon Defect: AnIn VivoInvestigation

“…24 Our results suggest that, by decreasing the dry matter content and increasing the water content of the injured tissue, electrical ions could circulate into the injured area faster than in normal tissue. 38 Our histologic results confirmed the above results, and demonstrated that, although inflammation is increased by the presence of the prostheses, the inflammatory cells declined after the inflammatory phase of tendon healing, and no marked inflammation was seen during fibroplasia and remodeling stages of tendon healing in the treated lesions. Severe and prolonged inflammatory reaction is not beneficial in tendon healing.…”

“…[45][46][47] When a tissue is damaged, its bioelectrical characteristics change, so that the electrical currents diminish as healing progresses, and the normal values is reestablished once healing is completed. 38,47 A major role of the collagen implant and its covering PDS sheath was to conduct the migrated fibroblasts in the longitudinal axis of the implant; we clarified this as a tenoconductive characteristic. This longitudinal axis was along the normal anatomical direction of the tendon-muscle unit.…”

Role of sensory and motor intensity of electrical stimulation on fibroblastic growth factor-2 expression, inflammation, vascularization, and mechanical strength of full-thickness wounds

“…Thus, according to results of the present study and those of our previous study, sensory ES, via an increase in expression of FGF-2 during the early phase of healing, may induce upregulation of VEGF during the proliferation phase of the healing process. The reason why sensory ES was more effective in the release of FGF-2 at the wound site is yet unclear, but may be related to the ability of microamperage ES to mimic the natural electrical field, or current, created following injury that facilitates the migration of cells toward the wound site [40][41]. The fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and macrophages, as predominant producers of FGF-2 at the wound site [7,[28][29], migrate toward the cathode [9,34].…”

The Effects of Microcurrents on Inflammatory Reaction Induced by Ultraviolet Irradiation

“…We also found that microcurrents increased wound contraction. Poltawski and Watson 13) reported that endogenous fields are intrinsic to a number of metabolic processes, including development, adaptation and repair. In addition, it is known that electrical stimulation fosters division and transfer of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, increases DNA and protein synthesis ability leading to wound healing 17) .…”

“…Previous research has shown that microcurrents influence tissue changes in the process of wound healing 9,10,13) . This study conducted digital image analyses and quantitative sensory tests to examine the effects of microcurrents on temporal tissue reactions such as the inflammatory reaction.…”