From the Guidelines
No, direct current in physical therapy electrical stimulation does not result in a net charge. The study by 1 discusses the use of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in pulmonary rehabilitation, highlighting its benefits in improving muscle strength, exercise capacity, and reducing dyspnea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although the study does not directly address the issue of net charge, it implies that NMES devices are designed to deliver controlled electrical stimuli without causing harm to the patient.
Key Points
- Physical therapy devices using direct current, such as NMES, are designed with safety features to prevent charge accumulation.
- These devices typically use low-amplitude currents and include mechanisms to balance the electrical flow.
- The stimulation sessions are time-limited, and the electrodes are positioned to create complete circuits through the tissue.
- The body's natural ionic environment helps dissipate any potential charge buildup.
- Modern physical therapy equipment includes automatic shut-off features and polarity-switching capabilities to ensure electrical safety, as mentioned in the context of NMES 1. In the context of physical therapy electrical stimulation, the primary concern is the safe and effective delivery of electrical stimuli to achieve therapeutic benefits, rather than the accumulation of net charge. Therefore, direct current in physical therapy electrical stimulation is not associated with a net charge, and its use is focused on improving patient outcomes, such as muscle strength and exercise capacity, as demonstrated in the study by 1.
From the Research
Direct Current in Physical Therapy Electrical Stimulation
- The application of direct current (DC) in physical therapy electrical stimulation has been studied for its effects on wound healing and tissue repair 2, 3, 4, 5.
- DC stimulation has been found to be effective in wound area reduction and increasing the rate of healing by more than 50% 2.
- The use of DC stimulation has also been shown to produce positive short-term changes in tissue health variables such as regional blood flow and pressure distribution 2.
- Low intensity direct current (LIDC) has been found to accelerate wound healing, with wounds treated with LIDC requiring less debridement and resulting in more resilient healed scars 5.
Net Charge Resulting from DC Stimulation
- The studies reviewed do not provide direct evidence on whether DC stimulation results in a net charge 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, it is known that DC stimulation can modulate the patient's own physiological electrical signals, which may influence the migration of inflammatory cells, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and mesenchymal stem cells to achieve effective wound healing 3.
- Further research is needed to determine the effects of DC stimulation on the net charge in physical therapy electrical stimulation.