The Effect of Microcurrent Electrical Stimulation on the Foot Blood Circulation and Pain of Diabetic Neuropathy

Abstract

Abstract. [Purpose] This study was performed to investigate the effect of microcurrent electrical stimulation on the foot blood circulation and the degree of pain experienced by diabetes patients.[Subjects] Twenty nine patients with diabetic neuropathy over the age of 60 were randomly divided into an experimental(16 patients, 67.9 ± 8.0 years) and a control group(13 patients, 70.4 ± 4.4 years).[Methods] Both groups walked on a treadmill at a comfortable pace for 50 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks, and each participant's body weight, body composition, and blood lipid were examined at the baseline and 4 weeks later.[Results] The results show that the foot blood flow rate increment after the intervention was significantly different between the experimental group and the control group, and the VAS was also significantly different.[Conclusion] Based on the results of this study, we consider that microcurrent electric stimulation of the foot may be helpful for preventing the pain and diabetic ulcers by increasing the foot blood circulation in diabetes patients.

Wireless microstimulators for treatment of peripheral vascular disease

“…This protocol of ultrasound pulse emission mimics the electrical pulse characteristics needed to excite responses of vasodilation of the rat extremities (2). The ultrasound energy amplitude and timing characteristics as determined by an external pulse generator were thus crafted to produce the needed electrical waveforms.…”

“…EUROSTIMULATION is an important mode of clinical therapy that has been applied to the peripheral nerves for purposes of pain relief and vasodilation (1)(2)(3). Electrical pulses of mllisecond-order duration and in the range of 3-5 Hz applied to major peripheral nerve trunks such as the sciatic are known to cause vasodilation in blood vessels (1)(2)(3).…”

“…Electrical pulses of mllisecond-order duration and in the range of 3-5 Hz applied to major peripheral nerve trunks such as the sciatic are known to cause vasodilation in blood vessels (1)(2)(3). This can be useful in increasing circulation to parts of the body such as the legs for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease (PVD); a condition often related to diabetes (2).…”

“…The sciatic nerve is a potential target for neurostimulation for purposes of vasodilation of the lower legs of humans (2). The human anatomy is such that it is typically less than 5 cm or so from the nearest point of the leg surface and direct line of sight making ultrasound powering to the implant through muscle and fat relatively straightforward.…”

Effects of low-frequency electrical stimulation on cumulative fatigue and muscle tone of the erector spinae

“…Microcurrent stimulation plays a role in restoring cells or facilitating healing by increasing the creation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and proteins, and curing wounds through the supply of electric energy at the cell level, which restores the potential of the cell membrane to normal potential 6 ) . In recent years, a number of studies of microcurrent stimulation have been performed for in a wide range of conditions such as fracture and fatigue recovery, and various diseases involving cancers and diabetic nerve damage 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ) . In particular, microcurrent stimulation is known to be effective for cumulative fatigue recovery as it reduces CK in the blood of patients with delayed onset muscle soreness 11 ) .…”