Effect of a Single 30-Minute Treatment of High Voltage Pulsed Current on Edema Formation in Frog Hind Limbs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a single treatment of high voltage pulsed current (HVPC) on edema formation. Twenty-four frogs were anesthetized, and both hind limbs of each frog were traumatized by impact. Limb volumes were measured by water displacement immediately before and after trauma and at predetermined intervals for 24.0 hours posttrauma. One limb of each frog was randomly selected to receive 30 minutes of continuous, 120-pulse per second, cathodal HVPC at voltages 10% less than motor threshold levels. Data were analyzed by an analysis of variance for repeated measures. Sources of significant differences were determined by paired t tests (probability values determined by Bonferroni adjustment). A single 30-minute application of HVPC significantly curbed edema formation for between 4.0 and 7.5 hours following treatment (ie, volumes of treated limbs were significantly less than those of untreated limbs). These results suggest that regimens currently applied to humans (ie, one treatment per day or three times per week) may be insufficiently aggressive to provide sustained treatment effects.

Effect of high-voltage pulsed current plus conventional treatment on acute ankle sprain

“…These results agree with previous animal studies 7,8,10,11,25,27 that showed the effectiveness of HVPC(-) in the treatment of posttraumatic edema.…”

“…The reduction in edema using this intensity has been shown in several animal studies 7,8,[10][11]25,27,28 . Another study used a current at motor threshold in the treatment of ankle sprain (acute phase) in humans and found no difference between the treatment group and the CG 16 .…”

“…However, a longer period of stimulation may have been more effective in reducing edema, as demonstrated by Bettany, Fish, and Mendel 7 in animals. Taylor et al 8 also suggest that the treatment applied to humans is not as effective in reducing edema. In their work with frogs, they found that HVPC(-) only maintained its effect for 4 to 7.5 hours post-treatment.…”

“…The current intensity was at submotor level, i.e., too weak to elicit a visible motor response. The intensities were chosen based upon animal studies that reported positive results 7,8,10,11,25 . Because the participants were in the acute phase of injury, this intensity would avoid the risks of generating muscle contractions and increase the trauma.…”

“…In animal studies, the results of Bettany, Fish, and Mendel 7 and Taylor et al 8 indicated a reduction in edema in traumatized frog limbs treated with HVPC (75μs, 120 pps, submotor level intensity, and negative polarity). Mohr, Akers, and Landry 9 also studied edema in traumatized hind limbs of rats, applying frequencies of 80pps and pulse durations of 35μs, and observed a greater reduction in edema.…”