High-voltage Pulsed Stimulation Research Articles

Cultivation of Edible Tropical Bolete, Phlebopus spongiosus, in Thailand and Yield Improvement by High-Voltage Pulsed Stimulation

Tropical bolete, Phlebopus spongiosus, is an edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom indigenous to northern Thailand. This mushroom has the ability to produce fruiting bodies without the need for a host plant. In this study, the technological cultivation of P. spongiosus was developed. Cultivation experiments indicated that fungal mycelia could completely colonize the cultivation substrate over a period of 85–90 days following inoculation of liquid inoculum. Primordia were induced under lower temperatures, high humidity and a 12-h photoperiod. Mature fruiting bodies were developed from young fruiting bodies within a period of one week. Consequently, yield improvement of P. spongiosus cultivation was determined by high-voltage pulsed stimulation. The results indicated that the highest degree of primordial formation, number of mature fruiting bodies and total weight values were obtained in cultivation experiments involving a high voltage of 40 kV. The total weight of the mushrooms increased by 1.4 times after applying high-voltage pulses when compared with the control. Additionally, the results revealed that the size of the fruiting body and the proximate composition of the fruiting bodies from high-voltage stimulation treatments were not different from the control. This research provides valuable information concerning successful cultivation techniques and yield improvement by high-voltage pulsed stimulation for the large-scale commercial fruiting body production of P. spongiosus.

Electrical stimulation as a treatment intervention to improve function, edema or pain following acute lateral ankle sprains: A systematic review.

The purpose of this systematic review was to assess whether electrical stimulation (ES), when used in conjunction with a standard treatment, can reduce levels of functional impairment, edema, and pain compared to a standard treatment alone, in patients following a lateral ankle sprain. We searched PubMed, CINAHL, SportDiscus, and Medline (OVID) databases through June 2014 using the terms "ankle sprain or ankle sprains or ligament injury or ligamentous injury," and "electric stimulation or electric stimulation or electrotherapy." Our search identified four randomized control trials, of which, neuromuscular ES and high-voltage pulsed stimulation were the only two ES modalities utilized. Effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cohen's d for comparison between treatment groups. Three of four effect sizes for function had 95% CI that crossed zero. Twenty-four of the thirty-two effect sizes for edema had 95% CI that crossed zero. All effect sizes for pain had 95% CI that crossed zero. Therefore, the use of ES is not recommended as a means to improve function, reduce edema, or decrease pain in the treatment of acute lateral ankle sprains.

Estimulação elétrica de alta voltagem incrementa a cicatrização de lesões cutâneas crônicas: análise de seis casos

O tratamento de úlceras cutâneas por estimulação elétrica tem crescido na prática clínica, no entanto, faltam estudos que investiguem a efetividade desse recurso em acompanhamento prolongado ou até que ocorra a cicatrização completa das lesões. Assim, a estimulação elétrica de alta voltagem (EEAV) foi aplicada em úlceras cutâneas crônicas com o objetivo de reduzir a área da lesão. Para tanto, participaram do estudo quatro homens que apresentavam seis úlceras cutâneas que receberam a EEAV (fase=15ms; F=100 Hz; T: 100 a 150 V; fases gêmeas), 2 vezes por semana, durante 30 minutos. O eletrodo com polaridade negativa foi colocado sobre a lesão e o positivo no trajeto vascular. As úlceras foram avaliadas pré e pós-intervenção por meio da fotogrametria, sendo calculada a área da lesão. Como resultado, observamos o fechamento completo da lesão nos sujeitos I e II (área de 4,66 cm² para 0 após 21 sessões e de 1,74 cm² para 0 após 16 sessões, respectivamente). O sujeito III obteve redução de 93% na área da lesão direita (de 2,02 para 0,14 cm²) e na esquerda de 80,40% (de 2,50 para 0,49 cm²), após 100 sessões. No sujeito IV ocorreu o fechamento completo da lesão sacral (de 10,74 cm² para 0) e a redução da lesão isquiática de 11,01 para 2,43 cm², após 75 sessões. Desse modo, concluímos que a EEAV facilitou o processo de cicatrização das úlceras estimuladas, pois as áreas de todas as úlceras apresentaram diminuição superior a 78%, havendo cicatrização completa em três delas.

The Influence of High-Voltage Electrical Stimulation on Edema Formation After Acute Injury: A Systematic Review

Electrical stimulation is often used to control edema formation after acute injury. However, it is unknown whether its theoretical benefits translate to benefits in clinical practice. To systematically review the basic-science literature regarding the effects of high-voltage pulsed stimulation (HVPS) for edema control. CINAHL (1982 to February 2010), PubMed (1966 to February 2010), Medline (1966 to February 2010), and SPORTDiscus (1980 to February 2010) databases were searched for relevant studies using the following keywords: edema, electrical stimulation, high-volt electrical stimulation, and combinations of these terms. Reference sections of relevant studies were hand-searched. Included studies investigated HVPS and its effect on acute edema formation and included outcome measures specific to edema. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality and level of evidence were assessed for each included study. Effect sizes were calculated for primary edema outcomes. Studies were critiqued by electrical stimulation treatment parameters: mode of stimulation, polarity, frequency, duration of treatment, voltage, intensity, number of treatments, and overall time of treatments. The available evidence indicates that HVPS administered using negative polarity, pulse frequency of 120 pulses/s, and intensity of 90% visual motor contraction may be effective at curbing edema formation. In addition, the evidence suggests that treatment should be administered in either four 30-min treatment sessions (30-min treatment, 30-min rest cycle for 4 h) or a single, continuous180-min session to achieve the edema-suppressing effects. These findings suggest that the basic-science literature provides a general list of treatment parameters that have been shown to successfully manage the formation of edema after acute injury in animal subjects. These treatment parameters may facilitate future research related to the effects of HVPS on edema formation in humans and guide practical clinical use.

Ice and High Voltage Pulsed Stimulation in Treatment of Acute Lateral Ankle Sprains

* The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Public Health Service. The purpose of this investigation was to compare ice versus ice and high voltage pulsed stimulation (HVPS) for the treatment of ankle sprains. Thirty young adult subjects with grade I or II lateral ankle sprains were included in this study. Subjects received treatment within 30 hours following injury and were treated once daily for three days. Group I (N = 10) received ice for 30 minutes; group II (N = 10) received combination ice and HVPS (28 pps, negative polarity, current to comfort without contraction) for 30 minutes, and group III (N = 10) received ice and HVPS (80 pps, negative polarity, 30 minutes). All groups showed a tendency toward a decrease in pain, decrease in edema, and increase in ankle dorsiflexion following treatment. ANOVA for edema and dorsiflexion changes revealed that there were no significant differences in treatment effects among groups. HVPS, as utilized, did not further affect pain, edema, or range of dorsiflexion in the treatment of acute lateral ankle sprains.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1988;9(9):301-304.