Electrical Stimulation and Physical Therapy

Note: This paper on electrical stimulation for wound healing has been excerpted from: Chapter 16, Sussman, C and Byl, N, Electrical Stimulation for Wound Healing, Wound Care Collaborative Practice Manual for Physical Therapists and Nurses, Sussman, C. And Bates-Jensen, BM, Aspen Publishers 1998. 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.