Home-Based Electrical Stimulation to Accelerate Wound Healing-A Double-Blinded Randomized Control Trial

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Wound Healing Research
• Diabetic Complications Management

Background:

• Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) present a significant challenge in patient care.
• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) often complicates DFU healing.
• Electrical stimulation (E-Stim) is explored as an adjunctive therapy for DFU.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of daily home-based E-Stim therapy for accelerating wound healing in chronic DFUs.
• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of E-Stim as a self-administered treatment.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving patients with chronic DFUs and mild to severe PAD.
• Intervention group received daily 1-hour home-based E-Stim for 4 weeks using a BEST® platform.
• Control group received a non-functional device; primary outcome was wound area reduction at 4 weeks.

Main Results:

• The E-Stim group (n=16) achieved a significant 22% reduction in wound area after 4 weeks (p=0.002).
• The control group (n=17) showed no significant change in wound area (p=0.982).
• High adherence (93.9%) to daily home therapy was reported.

Conclusions:

• Daily home-based E-Stim is a feasible and acceptable adjunctive therapy for DFU.
• E-Stim demonstrates effectiveness in accelerating wound healing in DFU patients with PAD.
• This therapy offers a promising approach to manage complicated diabetic foot ulcers.