Effect of high-voltage pulsed current plus conventional treatment on acute ankle sprain

The effectiveness of high-voltage pulsed current (HVPC) treatments in humans as a means of controlling edema and post-traumatic pain has not yet been established.

To analyze the effects of HVPC plus conventional treatment on lateral ankle sprains.

This was a randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial with three intervention groups: CG (control group with conventional treatment); HVPC(-) group (conventional treatment plus negative polarity HVPC); HVPC+ group (conventional treatment plus positive polarity HVPC). Twenty-eight participants with lateral ankle sprain (2 to 96 h post-trauma) were evaluated. Conventional treatment consisted of cryotherapy (20 min) plus therapeutic exercises. Additionally, the HVPC(-) and HVPC+ groups received 30 min of electrical stimulation (submotor level; 120 pps). Pain, edema, range of motion (ROM) and gait were assessed before the first treatment session and after the last treatment session.

At the final evaluation, there were no significant differences between groups. Nevertheless, the HVPC(-) group had greater values in all assessed parameters. The data analysis showed that the HVPC(-) group had greater reductions in volume and girth, and greater recovery of ROM and gait velocity. This group also reached the end of the treatment (1.7 weeks; range 1.2-2.2) faster than the HVPC+ group and the CG (2.2 weeks; range 1.8-2.6).

There were no differences between the study groups, but the results suggest that HVPC(-) can accelerate the initial phase of recovery from ankle sprain. Article registered in the Clinical Trials.gov under the number NCT 00732017.