Effect of High- and Low-Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Angiogenesis and Myofibroblast Proliferation in Acute Excisional Wounds in Rat Skin

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effects of high- (HF) and low-frequency (LF) transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on angiogenesis and myofibroblast proliferation in acute excisional wounds in rat skin. DESIGN: This was an experimental controlled and randomized study. PARTICIPANTS: An excisional wound was made on the back of 90 adult male EPM1-Wistar rats using an 8-mm punch. INTERVENTIONS: The animals were randomly assigned to the HF group (80 Hz), LF group (5 Hz), or control group. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (pulse duration, 200 microseconds; current amplitude, 15 mA) was delivered (session length, 60 minutes) on 3 consecutive days. MEAN OUTCOME MEASURE: Immunohistochemistry was performed on postoperative days 3, 7, and 14 for counting blood vessels and myofibroblasts. MEAN OUTCOME RESULTS: The LF group had significantly more blood vessels than the HF group on day 3 ( P = .004). The HF group had significantly less blood vessels than did the control group on days 7 ( P = .002) and 14 ( P = .034) and less myofibroblasts than did both the LF and control groups on day 3 ( P = .004) and less than did the control group on day 7 ( P = .001). CONCLUSION: There seems to be a benefit to the use of LF transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the healing of acute excisional wounds, but further studies are warranted.