The Combined Effect of a Three-Channel Electrode Delivery System with Local Heat on the Healing of Chronic Wounds

Abstract

Thus, in this pilot study, application of a three-channel ES system in combination with local heat is effective in the healing of non-healing chronic wounds. Future studies should examine a larger population with variables such as treatment duration, number of days, or length of treatment to optimize the effect of ES on healing of non-healing chronic wounds.

Comparison of Different Heat Modalities for Treating Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness in People with Diabetes

“…[15][16][17][18][19] The overall effect is reduced blood flow to tissue and impaired tissue healing. 8,9,[20][21][22][23] It might be expected that DOMS would be worse in people with diabetes, especially because nerve hypersensitivity can also be found in people with diabetes. 24 This becomes important to understand because the best method of reducing the effects of diabetes is exercise.…”

Electrical stimulation for wound healing

“…The application of ES has been combined with heat to investigate their effect on wound healing. When applied on non-healing chronic ulcers together for 30 minutes over one month (30 Hz, 250 microsec, 20 mA) wound size decreased to 55.5% of its initial size (Suh et al, 2009). The effect of heat along with ES has also been reported by Petrofsky et al (2007) who applied ES of 20 mA for 30 minutes for 3 times per week for 4 weeks at either 32 or 37°C.…”

“…In another research study, three-channel ES is proposed to be preferred to two-channel, since it has been found to provide better current dispersion and tissue penetration (Suh et al, 2009). Regarding electrode selection, research is necessary in order to clarify the considerations and facts relating to electrode selection in the healing of wounds.…”

Skin Moisture and Heat Transfer

“…Normally, if the skin is cool, vasoconstriction predominates. If two electrodes are applied to the skin and stimulation is increased with square wave stimulation at a current of 20 milliamps and 40 pulses per second, the blood fl ow to the skin, as measured by laser Doppler imagers, does not change [ 1,100,121,122 ] . However, if the skin or the room is warmed fi rst to release the sympathetic vasoconstriction, then blood fl ow increases substantially during electrical stimulation of the skin and in the skin around wounds [ 1,100,121,122 ] .…”