ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the effects of electrical stimulation (ES) on cutaneous wound healing, with particular emphasis on tissue oxygenation, angiogenesis, antibacterial effects, cell migration, and protein synthesis, utilizing clinical trials and in vitro evidence. ES is defined as the application of an electrical current through electrodes placed either within the wound itself or on the periwound skin. ES has been used for a number of clinical applications, such as pain management and wound healing, including chronic and acute wounds. One of the most familiar types of ES is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which has been used frequently for pain control. Additionally, frequency rhythmic electrical modulation systems (FREMS) are also a form of transcutaneous electrotherapy using ES that varies the pulse, frequency, duration, and voltage. The rationale for use of ES is the potential at the epidermis, which is known as transepithelial potential (TEP) and varies between 10 and 60 mV.
