Microcurrent application as analgesic treatment in venous ulcers: a pilot study

Raciele Ivandra Guarda Korelo,Sandra Mara Meireles Adolph,Bruno Ternoski,Silvia Valderramas,Danilo Sanches Medeiros,Letícia Fernandes Andres

doi:10.1590/s0104-11692012000400016

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of microcurrent electrical stimulation on pain and area of venous ulcers. In a pilot study for a single-blind controlled clinical trial, carried out at an outpatient clinic during four weeks, 14 subjects with venous ulcers (mean age 62±9 years) were divided in two groups: microcurrent (n=8) and control group (n=6). Pain (by Visual Analogue Scale) and the ulcer area were measured by planimetry. There was a significant difference between the two groups with respect to pain (microcurrent group from 8.5 (6.5-9.75) to 3.5 (1-4.75) and control group from 7.5 (5.75-10) to 8.5 (5.5-10), p<0.01). Non-significant changes were found with respect to ulcer area (planimetry by graph paper, p=0.41 and by Image J, p=0.41). In conclusion, the application of microcurrent improves the pain of patients with venous ulcers (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01372020).

Highlights

Venous ulcers are characterized by a loss of skin continuity, cutaneous hyperpigmentation, edema, healing deficit, pain and lipodermatosclerosis[1]
Intergroup differences were found for age only, as patients allocated to the microcurrent group were older than those allocated to the control group
Analyses for other demographic, socioeconomic and clinical characteristics demonstrated no significant difference between the groups (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Venous ulcers are characterized by a loss of skin continuity, cutaneous hyperpigmentation, edema, healing deficit, pain and lipodermatosclerosis[1]. Their genesis has not been clarified yet, but the scientific community suggests that the best accepted factor is venous reflux[2]. Their evolution is slow, their duration undefined and relapses can extend for months or years. Pain is mentioned as the first and most frequent experience related to venous ulcers[4,5] It is caused by tissue aggression, ischemia, hypoxia, inflammation, infection or adherences to the wound bed[3]. This symptom causes delayed healing and hampers daily activities, mainly because of reduced mobility and sleep disorders, besides psychological and emotional www.eerp.usp.br/rlae

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion