Microcurrent Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation: Difference between revisions

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== Current specification ==
== Current specification ==
It is Direct or Alternating current and waveform is variety of waveforms from  modified monophasic to biphasic square  waves. Frequency is Range from 0.3 Hz to 50 Hz. Pulse duration: may be prolonged at the lower frequencies from 1 to 500 milliseconds.<ref>Shi X, Cao C, Guo P, Wen G, Lu Z, Shi J, Peng D, Huang T. More effective organics removal by amorphous MnOx assisted by micro-current than peroxymonosulfate addition: Performance and mechanism. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2022 Jun 1;10(3):107855.</ref>
Currents below 500 microamps, applied as low amperage electrical current through the tissues, may stimulate cellular processes that lead to the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This is hypothesized to occur through the influence on ion movement, such as protons, across cellular and mitochondrial membranes, which can affect ATP synthesis within the mitochondria.<ref>Shi X, Cao C, Guo P, Wen G, Lu Z, Shi J, Peng D, Huang T. More effective organics removal by amorphous MnOx assisted by micro-current than peroxymonosulfate addition: Performance and mechanism. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2022 Jun 1;10(3):107855.</ref>


== Biophysical effects ==
== Biophysical effects ==
Currents below 500 microamps increase  the level of ATP passing low amperage electrical current through the  tissues, creates an imbalance in the number of  protons on either side of the mitochondrial membrane.  As the protons move from the anode to the cathode, they cross the mitochondrial membrane, causing adenosine triphosphate to produce [[Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)|ATP]].<ref name=":0" />
"Currents below 500 microamps increase  the level of Adenosine Triphosphate ([[Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)|ATP]]) passing low amperage electrical current through the tissues create an imbalance in the number of  protons on either side of the mitochondrial membrane.  As the protons move from the anode to the cathode, they cross the mitochondrial membrane, causing triphosphate to produce ATP.<ref name=":0" />


== Therapeutic effects ==
== Therapeutic effects ==


==== Promotion of tissues healing ====
==== Promotion of tissues healing ====
Tissue trauma or injury affects the  electrical potential of the involved cells  which is called injury potential or current of injury and as a result the bioelectrical activity within the injured area is diminished and the cellular function is  disrupted so, re-establishing the body's natural electrical balance which allows cell function and increases ATP supply, thus  providing the metabolic energy for  healing to occur . Cells are stimulated to increase their normal proliferation, migration, motility as well as Stimulation of DNA synthesis and  collagen synthesis and Increase receptor level for growth factors.<ref>Poltawski L, Watson T. Bioelectricity and microcurrent therapy for tissue healing–a narrative review. Physical Therapy Reviews. 2009 Apr 1;14(2):104-14.</ref>
Tissue trauma or injury affects the electrical potential of the involved cells which is called injury potential or current of injury and as a result the bioelectrical activity within the injured area is diminished and the cellular function is disrupted so, re-establishing the body's natural electrical balance which allows cell function and increases ATP supply, thus providing the metabolic energy for  healing to occur . Cells are stimulated to increase their normal proliferation, migration, motility as well as Stimulation of DNA synthesis and collagen synthesis and Increase receptor level for growth factors.<ref>Poltawski L, Watson T. Bioelectricity and microcurrent therapy for tissue healing–a narrative review. Physical Therapy Reviews. 2009 Apr 1;14(2):104-14.</ref>


==== '''Analgesic effect''' ====
==== '''Analgesic effect''' ====
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* Pain of unknown origin or undiagnosed [[Pain-Modulation|pain]]
* Pain of unknown origin or undiagnosed [[Pain-Modulation|pain]]
* Osteomyelitis
* [[Osteomyelitis]]
* Exposed metal implants as in external fixation of fractures.<ref>Mercola JM, Kirsch DL. The basis for microcurrent electrical therapy in conventional medical practice. Journal of Advancement in medicine. 1995;8(2):107-20.</ref>
* Exposed metal implants as in external fixation of fractures.<ref>Mercola JM, Kirsch DL. The basis for microcurrent electrical therapy in conventional medical practice. Journal of Advancement in medicine. 1995;8(2):107-20.</ref>


== Neurostimulation Device ==
== Neurostimulation Therapy ==
Neurostimulation is a device that uses microcurrent stimulation to reduce pain and [[Scar Management|scar tissue]] (facial distortions) by applying it to specific points on the body. It is a needleless form of [[acupuncture]] that relaxes muscles. This is very important to re-establish motor control to that area and to deal with the consequences of surgery.<ref>Houghton PE. Clinical trials involving biphasic pulsed current, microcurrent, and/or low-intensity direct current. Advances in wound care. 2014 Feb 1;3(2):166-83.</ref>
Neurostimulation therapy involves the application of microcurrents to specific body points to alleviate pain and reduce scar tissue, including facial distortions. This therapy, functioning as a non-invasive alternative to acupuncture, aims to relax muscles effectively. It is particularly beneficial for restoring motor control in affected areas and managing post-surgical recovery..<ref>Houghton PE. Clinical trials involving biphasic pulsed current, microcurrent, and/or low-intensity direct current. Advances in wound care. 2014 Feb 1;3(2):166-83.</ref>


== References  ==
== References  ==

Revision as of 00:44, 10 December 2023

Original Editor - Yahya Al-Razi Top Contributors - Yahya Al-Razi and Angeliki Chorti

Introduction[edit | edit source]

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Microcurrent Electrical Therapy (MET) is an Electrical intervention indicated for the treatment of pain. By definition microcurrent devices stimulate the affected tissue with less than 1mA of electrical current, most commonly delivered with hand-held probes or self-adhesive electrodes that bracket the treated area. MET is a highly effective modality in the treatment of a variety of pain problems .[1]

A type of low voltage current but with  stimulus intensity less than 1 milliamp  or 1000 microamps and low intensity stimulation, It is acted at the subsensory or very low  sensory level.[2]

Key Points[edit | edit source]

  • Microcurrent Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation (MENS) facilitated the recovery of the relative muscle dry weight, the relative muscle protein content, and the mean cross-sectional areas of muscle fibres of injured Tibialis Anterior muscle in mice.[3]
  • The number of satellite cells was increased by MENS during the regenerating phase of injured skeletal muscle.
  • Decrease in the percentages of fibers with central nuclei was facilitated by MENS.
  • Facilitate the regeneration of injured skeletal muscles.[4]

Current specification[edit | edit source]

Currents below 500 microamps, applied as low amperage electrical current through the tissues, may stimulate cellular processes that lead to the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This is hypothesized to occur through the influence on ion movement, such as protons, across cellular and mitochondrial membranes, which can affect ATP synthesis within the mitochondria.[5]

Biophysical effects[edit | edit source]

"Currents below 500 microamps increase  the level of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) passing low amperage electrical current through the tissues create an imbalance in the number of  protons on either side of the mitochondrial membrane.  As the protons move from the anode to the cathode, they cross the mitochondrial membrane, causing triphosphate to produce ATP.[3]

Therapeutic effects[edit | edit source]

Promotion of tissues healing[edit | edit source]

Tissue trauma or injury affects the electrical potential of the involved cells which is called injury potential or current of injury and as a result the bioelectrical activity within the injured area is diminished and the cellular function is disrupted so, re-establishing the body's natural electrical balance which allows cell function and increases ATP supply, thus providing the metabolic energy for  healing to occur . Cells are stimulated to increase their normal proliferation, migration, motility as well as Stimulation of DNA synthesis and collagen synthesis and Increase receptor level for growth factors.[6]

Analgesic effect[edit | edit source]

Make the nerve cell membrane more receptive to neurotransmitters that will block transmission of pain and create or change the constant direct current flow of the neural tissues that  may have some way of biasing the transmission of the painful stimulus then restore the biological electrical balance to facilitate tissues healing and subsequent pain control.[7]

Indications[edit | edit source]

Contraindications[edit | edit source]

  • Pain of unknown origin or undiagnosed pain
  • Osteomyelitis
  • Exposed metal implants as in external fixation of fractures.[9]

Neurostimulation Therapy[edit | edit source]

Neurostimulation therapy involves the application of microcurrents to specific body points to alleviate pain and reduce scar tissue, including facial distortions. This therapy, functioning as a non-invasive alternative to acupuncture, aims to relax muscles effectively. It is particularly beneficial for restoring motor control in affected areas and managing post-surgical recovery..[10]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Iijima H, Takahashi M. Microcurrent therapy as a therapeutic modality for musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review accelerating the translation from clinical trials to patient care. Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation. 2021 Sep 1;3(3):100145.
  2. Kwon DR, Kim J, Kim Y, An S, Kwak J, Lee S, Park S, Choi YH, Lee YK, Park JW. Short-term microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation to improve muscle function in the elderly: A randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled clinical trial. Medicine. 2017 Jun;96(26).
  3. 3.0 3.1 Ohno Y, Fujiya H, Goto A, Nakamura A, Nishiura Y, Sugiura T, Ohira Y, Yoshioka T, Goto K. Microcurrent electrical nerve stimulation facilitates regrowth of mouse soleus muscle. International journal of medical sciences. 2013;10(10):1286.
  4. Fujiya H, Ogura Y, Ohno Y, Goto A, Nakamura A, Ohashi K, Uematsu D, Aoki H, Musha H, Goto K. Microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation facilitates regeneration of injured skeletal muscle in mice. Journal of sports science & medicine. 2015 Jun;14(2):297.
  5. Shi X, Cao C, Guo P, Wen G, Lu Z, Shi J, Peng D, Huang T. More effective organics removal by amorphous MnOx assisted by micro-current than peroxymonosulfate addition: Performance and mechanism. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2022 Jun 1;10(3):107855.
  6. Poltawski L, Watson T. Bioelectricity and microcurrent therapy for tissue healing–a narrative review. Physical Therapy Reviews. 2009 Apr 1;14(2):104-14.
  7. Korelo RI, Valderramas S, Ternoski B, Medeiros DS, Andres LF, Adolph SM. Microcurrent application as analgesic treatment in venous ulcers: a pilot study. Revista latino-americana de enfermagem. 2012;20:753-60.
  8. Davis P. Microcurrent. A modern healthcare modality. Rehab Ther Prod Rev. 1992;10:62-6.
  9. Mercola JM, Kirsch DL. The basis for microcurrent electrical therapy in conventional medical practice. Journal of Advancement in medicine. 1995;8(2):107-20.
  10. Houghton PE. Clinical trials involving biphasic pulsed current, microcurrent, and/or low-intensity direct current. Advances in wound care. 2014 Feb 1;3(2):166-83.