Microcurrent application as analgesic treatment in venous ulcers: a pilot study

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of microcurrent electrical stimulation on pain and area of venous ulcers. In a pilot study for a single-blind controlled clinical trial, carried out at an outpatient clinic during four weeks, 14 subjects with venous ulcers (mean age 62±9 years) were divided in two groups: microcurrent (n=8) and control group (n=6). Pain (by Visual Analogue Scale) and the ulcer area were measured by planimetry. There was a significant difference between the two groups with respect to pain (microcurrent group from 8.5 (6.5-9.75) to 3.5 (1-4.75) and control group from 7.5 (5.75-10) to 8.5 (5.5-10), p<0.01).Non-significant changes were found with respect to ulcer area (planimetry by graph paper, p=0.41 and by Image J ® , p=0.41). In conclusion, the application of microcurrent improves the pain of patients with venous ulcers (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01372020).

The efficacy of electrical stimulation in lower extremity cutaneous wound healing: A systematic review

“…A further single‐blinded RCT by Korelo et al. showed that although microcurrent ES significantly improved pain associated with venous leg wounds, it had no benefit on wound healing . However, they also had relatively small numbers and the treatment duration was only for 4 weeks.…”

Effectiveness Of 2% And 4% Papain Gels In The Healing Of Venous Ulcers

“…Pain is a common symptom in patients with venous ulcers, which compromises the quality of life, due to the limitations of physical activities and provision for daily life activities, but adequate assistance can contribute to better understanding of pain and its reduction (15,(20)(21)(22) .…”

Impacto da utilização de recursos fisioterapêuticos no tratamento de úlceras cutâneas de diferentes etiologias

“…Com o aumento da longevidade da população mundial aumentaram-se também as doenças crônico-degenerativas, dentre elas as úlceras 1 . As úlceras, independentemente de sua etiologia, apresentam-se como lesões graves com perda circunscrita ou irregular da epiderme e/ ou derme, podendo atingir o tecido subcutâneo e seus tecidos subjacentes 2 .…”

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“…O tratamento para úlceras gera grande ônus para o sistema público de saúde, visto que 46,7% dos pacientes levam doze meses ou menos para cicatrizar a úlcera, 39,2% levam de dois a dez anos e 14,2% levam mais de dez anos 2,4 .…”