Introduction

Abstract

An outline account of the electrobiology of cells and tissues forms the basis for a descriptive review of theoretical models of electromagnetic signalling between cells and information processing by ‘solid state’ circuitry within the cell. Research findings and theory on the role of endogenous bioelectric currents in tissue growth, adaptive remodelling and tissue healing are presented, and the claimed effects of different forms of externally applied currents and fields on biological activity, including possible ill-effects of environmental electromagnetic fields, are reviewed. A proposal is made that present knowledge is creating a new paradigm of ‘bioelectric man’ and that electro-physiotherapy theory and practice now lie within a much wider bioelectrical context than before. The implications of this proposal for undergraduate curricula, clinical practice and research are discussed. This review of bioelectrical research and theory is presented in eight parts. Each part consists of a self-contained article under the series title which is interlinked by discussion with related articles. This introduction and parts 1 and 2 are published in this issue and the remaining six parts will follow in succeeding issues of Physiotherapy. An outline account of the electrobiology of cells and tissues forms the basis for a descriptive review of theoretical models of electromagnetic signalling between cells and information processing by ‘solid state’ circuitry within the cell. Research findings and theory on the role of endogenous bioelectric currents in tissue growth, adaptive remodelling and tissue healing are presented, and the claimed effects of different forms of externally applied currents and fields on biological activity, including possible ill-effects of environmental electromagnetic fields, are reviewed. A proposal is made that present knowledge is creating a new paradigm of ‘bioelectric man’ and that electro-physiotherapy theory and practice now lie within a much wider bioelectrical context than before. The implications of this proposal for undergraduate curricula, clinical practice and research are discussed. This review of bioelectrical research and theory is presented in eight parts. Each part consists of a self-contained article under the series title which is interlinked by discussion with related articles. This introduction and parts 1 and 2 are published in this issue and the remaining six parts will follow in succeeding issues of Physiotherapy. Biography: Robert A Charman qualified from the former Field and Morris/West Middlesex School of Physiotherapy in 1956. He held a succession of clinical posts before becoming group superintendent at King's Lynn, Norfolk, from 1966 to 1969. In 1971 he obtained his physiotherapy teaching diploma at the Cardiff School of Physiotherapy and is now a senior teacher in the same school.