New Perspectives in Edema Control via Electrical Stimulation

Clinicians commonly use electrical stimulation (ES) to control acute edema. But, except for anecdotal reports, there is little evidence to support that practice. We recently conducted a series of controlled, blinded studies on several nonhuman animal models to determine the efficacy of several forms of ES, but high-voltage pulsed current (HVPC) in particular, in controlling acute posttraumatic edema. We observed that acute posttraumatic edema is curbed by HVPC when certain protocols are used. Results of these studies suggest to us that wave form, polarity, treatment schedule, intensity and frequency of pulses all influence ES, and that clinical protocols need revision.