Author: Carrie Sussman, PT
SUSSMAN PHYSICAL THERAPY INC.
3904 W. 234 PLACE TORRANCE,CA 90505-4616
310\375-8815 310\378-6845 FAX
Note: This paper on electrical stimulation for wound healing has been excerpted from a chapter: Electrical Stimulation for Wound Healing by Carrie Sussman, PT, to be published in Wound Care: A Collaborative practice Manual for Physical Therapists and Nurses, Edited by Carrie Sussman, PT and Barbara Bates Jensen MN, RN, CETN published by Aspen Publications, 1997. Some references have been omitted here.
DEFINITIONS:
Electrical stimulation is defined as the use of an electrical current to transfer energy to a wound. The type of electricity that is transferred is controlled by the electrical source. ( AHCPR 94). Capacitatively coupled electrical stimulation involves the transfer of electric current through an applied surface electrode pad that is in wet (electrolytic) contact ( capacitatively coupled) with the external skin surface and /or wound bed. When capacitatively coupled electrical stimulation is used, two electrodes are required to complete the electric circuit. Electrodes are usually placed over wet conductive medium, in the wound bed and on the skin a distance away from the wound.
When discussing electrical stimulation, it is important to distinguish the waveform used for the protocol. Although there are many waveforms available on electrotherapy equipment, the one that has the most thorough and consistent evaluation in vitro, in animal studies and in controlled clinical trials is monophasic twin peaked high voltage pulsed current ( HVPC). The pulse width varies with a range from 20-200 microseconds. The HVPC devices also allow for selection of polarity and variation in pulse rates both of which seem to be important in wound healing. It is a very safe current because it’s very short pulse duration prevents significant changes in both tissue pH and temperature. Therefore, the most tested and safe type of stimulation is the one recommended.
Other types of waveforms and have been tested in clinical trials but will not be discussed here due to limited space. They are discussed in the full chapter.
Acceptance of electrical stimulation for wound healing by the medical community has been a long and complex task. In 1994, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) panel issued Treatment of Pressure Ulcers, Clinical Practice Guideline, Number 15. The panel of pressure ulcer care experts used an explicit science-based methodology and expert clinical judgment to develop statements regarding pressure ulcer treatment. Extensive literature searches, critical review and synthesis were used followed by peer and field review to evaluate the validity, reliability and utility of the guideline in clinical practice. AHCPR panel issued a statement about use of electrical stimulation as an adjunctive therapy for pressure ulcers: ” Consider a course of treatment with electrotherapy for Stage III and IV pressure ulcers that have proved unresponsive to conventional therapy. Electrical stimulation may also be useful for recalcitrant Stage II ulcers. Strength of Evidence = B.” The panel found that data from 5 clinical trials involving 147 patients to support the effectiveness of this therapy for pressure ulcers.
(Note: The complete chapter contains a review of some of the significant areas and observations of research used to develop protocols and support treatment of non-conforming wound healing with electrical stimulation. This an excerpt of that section.)
The body has its own bioelectric system. This system influences wound healing by attracting the cells of repair, changing cell membrane permeability ,enhancing cellular secretion through cell membranes and orientating cell structures. A current termed the “current of injury” is generated between the skin and inner tissues when there is a break in the skin. The current will continue until the skin defect is repaired. Healing of the injured tissue is arrested or will be incomplete if these currents no longer flow while the wound is open. A moist wound environment is required for the bioelectric system to function. A rationale for applying electrical stimulation is that it mimics the natural current of injury and will jump start or accelerate the wound healing process.
Keeping a wound moist with normal ( 0.9% ) saline ( sodium chloride ) maintains the optimal bioelectric charge because it is like the electrolytic concentration of wound fluid. Dressings such as amorphous hydrogels and occlusive dressings help promote the body’s “current of injury” by keeping the wound moist. Research Wisdom: Moist wounds promote the “current of injury “
Debridement is helped if the tissue is solubilized such as with enzymatic debriding agents. ES using negative current has been shown to solubilize clotted blood. Necrotic tissue is made up of coalesced blood elements. The negative pole has been used to begin treatment in all controlled clinical studies and most of the wounds have necrotic tissue. This research would lend support to that part of protocol. The positive electrode has been found to induce clumping of leukocytes and forming of thrombosis in the small vassals this was reversed with the negative electrode. (Gentzkow 91) This may explain a clinical observation that hematoma or hemorrhaging at the wound margin or on granulation tissue are dissolved and reabsorbed following application of HVPC with the negative pole. Hemorrhagic material goes on to necrosis if not dissolved and reabsorbed quickly.
Clinical experience has repeatedly shown that treatment with the inflammation protocol, using negative polarity, promotes rapid absorption of hemorrhagic material, usually within 48 hours. (Sussman)
Clinical Wound Healing Studies: Early studies using direct current stimulation reported long treatment times of 20-40 hours per weeks. Four controlled clinical studies and three uncontrolled studies with HVPC report a mean healing time of 9.5 weeks with 45-60 minute treatment 5-7x/wk.
Summary of Scientific Rationale for Application
Electrical stimulation affects the biological phases of wound healing in the following ways:
Inflammation phase
Proliferation phase
Epithelialization phase
Use and application of the modality is not pathology dependent.
Types of wounds for which there is indication to use HVPC include:
The protocols change as the wound healing phase changes. Assessment and diagnosis of the wound healing phase determines the treatment protocol. The set up and protocols used by Sussman are the same regardless of wound pathogenesis.
Research Wisdom:
Research compared direct application of HVPC to the wound, using the whirlpool to conduct the current and whirlpool alone. Application of HVPC directly to the wound had best outcomes. Safety is also a concern because electrical leads can become tangled in the turbine of the whirlpool and HVPC stimulators have been known to fall into the water.
Research Wisdom – Best method for effective and safe HVPC treatment
Protocol for treatment:
Wound Healing Phase Diagnosis: Inflammation phase
Expected outcomes:
Change in Wound Healing Phase Diagnosis: Proliferation phase
Stimulator settings:
Wound Healing Phase Diagnosis: Proliferation phase
Expected Outcomes: Reduced size: open area, depth, undermining/tunneling
Change in Wound Healing Phase Diagnosis: Epithelialization phase
Stimulator settings:
Wound Healing Phase Diagnosis: Epithelialization phase
Expected Outcomes: Resurfacing
Change in Wound Healing Phase Diagnosis: Remodeling
Stimulator settings:
Research Wisdom:
A saline based amorphous hydrogel, which has the ability to conduct electric current has been tested and the conductivity is comparable to saline. Whether the healing of the wound is improved when this product is used for conducting current and then left in the wound has not been tested. In the meantime, such a product may have the added advantage of being used as the wound dressing to keep the wound moist after the electrical stimulation treatment is completed.
Research Wisdom: Use of Amorphous Hydrogel for Conduction
Setting Up the Patient
Clinical wisdom: All petrolatum products including enzymatic debriding agents such as collagenase, Santyl , and fibrinolysin, Elase , which are petrolatum-based products, must be removed before treatment or current will not be conducted into the wound tissues.
Clinical Wisdom: Remove Petrolatum Before Stimulation
Aftercare
After the electrical stimulation treatment is complete, slip the electrode out from between the wet and dry gauze. The wound can be left undisturbed. If saline soaked gauze is the conductive medium, it should be changed before it dries or be covered with an occlusive dressing. If hydrogel impregnated gauze is the conductor, change BID. If additional topical treatments are required such as enzymatic debriding agents or antibiotics, then the packing will need to be removed, topical agent applied and redressed.
Research wisdom:
Frequent dressing changes are being discouraged because it disturbs the wound healing environment by removing important substances in wound exudate and cooling the wound. It takes three hours for a chilled wound to re-warm and slows leukocytic and mitotic activity
Research Wisdom: Avoid Wound Chilling
PRECAUTIONS
Signs of adverse effects were evaluated in the various clinical trials and none were found except some skin irritation or tingling under the electrodes in a few cases. Patients with severe peripheral vascular occlusive disease (PVD), may experience some increased pain, usually described as throbbing, in the leg after electrical stimulation.
Research Wisdom: An alternative protocol with reported healing, by Kaada, calls for placing the active electrode on the web space of the hand between thumb and first finger instead of over the ulcer. This may be more comfortable for the patient with PVD.
Research Wisdom:
An Alternative protocol with reported healing of lower extremity ulcers , by Kaada, calls for placing the active electrode on the web space between the thumb and first finger instead of over or around the ulcer. This may be more comfortable for the patient with PVD.
Research Wisdom: Kaada Protocol for Wound Healing
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Contraindications for treatment with electrical stimulation include:
Note: this paper on electrical stimulation for wound healing has been excerpted from a chapter: Electrical Stimulation for Wound Healing by Carrie Sussman, PT, to be published in Wound Care: A Collaborative practice Manual for Physical Therapists and Nurses, Edited by Carrie Sussman, PT and Barbara Bates Jensen MN, RN, CETN published by Aspen Publications, 1997. Some references have been omitted here.
Reference sources:
The Role of Physical Therapy in Wound Care, C. Sussman, B.S. PT Chronic Wound Care: A Source book for Health Care Professionals , Krasner, Diane,RN, MS, CETN 1990 Health Management Publications
Wound Healing: Alternatives in Management, Kloth, McCulloch. , Feedar 2nd Ed. 1994
F.A. Davis. Clinical Wound Management, Gogia, P 1995 SLACK Inc.
AHCPR TREATMENT GUIDELINE FOR PRESSURE ULCERS U.S. Government Printing Office 1994