Monday 16 April 2012

Microcurrent in a moment

The important points of microcurrent


·         Microcurrent is recognised by its low intensity (µA)

·         It has been used for: pain relief, motor re-education, healing, increasing neural conductivity, increasing range of motion, increase absorption of topical treatments, increace cell proliferation, increase neuro-muscular conductivity, increase micro and general circulation, improve chronic periodontitis, reduce bacterial growth, control diabetes mellitus, control hypertension, reduce torticollis

·         There should be no sensation or contraction as the intensity is below that which is required to stimulate the sensory fibres or motor fibres

·         Contra Indications: unknown aetiology, cardiac pace makers, malignant tissues or placement over the carotid sinus/cerebrum

·         Precautions: pregnancy, epilepsy, pain of central origin and skin/vascular disorders

·         The frequency should change depending on the goal: 0.3Hz for healing, 3Hx for stimulating acupuncture points and 300Hz for reducing oedema


·         Default settings: bipolar waveform,               
0.3Hz, 50µA, 20min                                         

Wednesday 4 April 2012

Research: Knowledge vs Conmen




Attempt to aid fat loss and contouring


 



 

Microcurrent has been the topic of many studies. The current research suggests the use of microcurrent can: increase the effectiveness of topical treatments (de et al., 2011), decrease healing time (Sugimoto et al., 2012), increase satellite cell proliferation when combined with acupuncture (Takaoka et al., 2007), improve neuro-muscular conductivity, general microcirculation and cerebral circulation (Lazarenko & Gerasimenko, 2011), increased motor function of children suffering from cerebral palsy (Ukhanova & Gorbunov, 2011) (Ukhanova, Gorbunov, & Ivanova, 2011), aide in recovery of chronic periodontitis(Gossrau et al., 2011), reduce bacterial growth on catheters (Gabi et al., 2011), aide control of diabetes mellitus and hypertension (Lee et al., 2009),reduces torticollis in infants (Kim, Kwon, & Lee, 2009)and reduces pain associated with SCI (Tan et al., 2006). However, it is not effective for reducing the pain associated with diabetic neuropathy (Gossrau et al., 2011) and there is debate as to whether microcurrent is useful for reducing the pain associated with delayed onset muscle soreness (Curtis, Fallows, Morris, & McMakin, 2010), (Allen, Mattacola, & Perrin, 1999).

Attempt to reduce eye bags

Despite microcurrent being used as the intervention for a variety of complains, the research is done on vastly different tissue and for different reasons with rarely more than one article on the same topic. This is indicated by a quick search of ‘microcurrent’ in PubMed yielding 57 papers whilst ‘tens wound healing’ received 41 possibilities. This indicates microcurrent has been researched in many different fields but not in depth. This causes a lack of comparison between studies to identify flaws in research technique and quality of data therefore making an informed opinion more difficult.



Microcurrent gloves for massage
Despite the low number of research articles, the ones produced were often randomised control trials with adequate numbers of participants and no perceivable cause for conflict of interest. As microcurrent shouldn’t be felt by the patient it is possible to do at least a single blind; however, few progressed this to a double or triple blind. The majority of research was published post 2007 with only two papers published before 1990. This indicates the techniques and equipment used for the majority of research should have been done with modern, accurate and precise machines making the results more plausible. This also indicates the research done on microcurrent is quite new and so the research had little previous data to guide them with ideas and protocol, causing a reduction in trustworthy data. With electrotherapy becoming more popular as the machine become more accessible there is sure to be an increase in the amount of research done on microcurrent.
Acupuncture for microcurrent





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images

http://spinehappy.com/acupuncture.html           accessed 04/04/2012
http://www.fimage.eu/en/product/3215     accessed 04/04/2012






Reference:

Allen, J. D., Mattacola, C. G., & Perrin, D. H. (1999). Effect of microcurrent stimulation on delayed-onset muscle soreness: a double-blind comparison. J Athl Train, 34(4), 334-337.
de, G. d. G. F. O., Foglio, M. A., de Carvalho, J. E., Santos, G. M., Testa, M., Passarini, J. R., Jr., . . . Mendonca, F. A. (2011). Effects of the Topical Application of Hydroalcoholic Leaf Extract of Oncidium flexuosum Sims. (Orchidaceae) and Microcurrent on the Healing of Wounds Surgically Induced in Wistar Rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2011, 950347. doi: 10.1155/2011/950347
In Vitro]. Urol Res, 39(2), 81-88. doi: 10.1007/s00240-010-0284-3
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.]. J Rehabil Res Dev, 43(4), 461-474.




Monday 2 April 2012

Microcurrent could work magic for cancer patients

One particular niche of microcurrent treatment is for cancer patients who develop progressive fibrosis of the head, neck and supraclavicular areas after aggressive cancer therapy. The combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy required to treat the cancer results in pain and limitations in all planes of movement, secondary to scar tissues.

The use and possible benefits of microcurrent therapy in this particular population was realised mostly by chance when its use for a surgical scar also resulted in additional benefits, significantly reducing erythema and muscositis in a patient treated with radiotherapy for a salivary gland malignancy.

The pilot study investigated the effect of microcurrent therapy on cervical range of movement (rotation, flexion, extension and lateral flexion), subjective complaints and the ability to open the mouth, or trismus, in 26 patients. Measurements were taken before and after each treatment and monthly for three months.

Despite the small population group, the results of the treatment could be considered encouraging, and definitely warrant further investigation. The main findings of the investigation are summarised below:

·         92% of patients had improvements in cervical rotation.
·         85% of patients had improvements in cervical flexion and extension.
·         81% of patients had improvements in cervical lateral flexion.
·         75% of patients complaining of trismus improved and maintained oral opening by 4.6±2.2 mm.
·         Some patients improvements were maintained during a three month follow up period.


Improvements in Subjective Complaints
Patients reporting improvement (%)



Tongue immobility

3/8 (37)
Impaired speech
3/6 (50)
Stiffness discomfort
24/26 (92)
Facial asymmetry
6/7 (86)
Soft tissue edema
11/17 (65)
Trismus
10/16 (62)
Dry mouth
15/20 (75)
Difficulty swallowing
4/10 (40)
Cervical/facial spasms
10/12 (83)
Fibrosis
12/20 (60)
Inability to purse lips
5/5 (100)
Difficulty breathing
3/3 (100)
Tenderness
10/15 (67)
Pain
9/13 (69)
Numbness
6/8 (75)




A few other interesting bits and pieces:
·         The machine used in this clinical investigation was a Electro-Myopulse 75F instrument, which has a retail price of about $8500 per unit.
·         An alternating microampere current at frequencies ranging from 0.5 to 100Hz was applied.
·         Treatment time was approximately 30 minutes, with electrode an electrode taped to the scapula closest to the affected tissue. A moveable electrode in the form of a cylindrical roller was then applied across the affected areas.
·         The degree of improvement directly correlated to the severity of the limitations.




Application method of microcurrent on the fibrotic supraclavicular
and neck tissues used in the study.

Despite the fact that this was just a pilot study and not designed as a randomised, controlled trial, the findings are encouraging. Considering the ease of application and the low patient burden, the possibility that microcurrent can reduce functional limitations, severity of symptoms and increase quality of life for this patient population is definitely one of interest and further investigation.




REFERENCES
Lennox, A. J., Shafer, J. P., Hatcher, M., Beil, J. & Funder, S. J. (2002). Pilot study for impedence- controlled microcurrent therapy for managing radiation-induced fibrosis in head-and-neck cancer patients, International Journal of Radiation Oncology, 54(1), 23-34.

The possibilities and parameters

The frequency of the treatment is based on the aims of the treatment. Conditions such as inflammation, fibrosis, mineral deposition, scar tissue formation, allergic reactions, viral infection and spasm, are treated with frequencies that are considered to be effective to treat specific to connective tissue, fascia, arteries, muscles, and nerves (McMakin, 2004).  The frequency that is selected should be based on patient and an assessment of the tissues that will be treated. McMakin (2004) outlines the possible frequencies used to treat different conditions:

.3Hz for healing therapy
3Hz  for stimulation of acupuncture points
300Hz for treating odema

Dosage parameters for treatment should be based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Using the example of the Dynatron 950+ electrical stimulation machine, the following parameters are the default settings on the machine for a treatment using two electrodes:

Bipolar wave
Frequency        .3Hz
Intensity           50 μA
Treatment time   20 minutes              


Examples of dosage parameters used in various studies are outlined in the following table.



Study
Aim of Study
Frequency
Intensity
Treatment time
DOMS
Decreasing Pain
3Hz
200 μA
20 Minutes
Tennis Elbow
Decreasing Pain
10Hz
400 μA
30 Minutes
Equine Wound Case Study
Wound Healing
0.5Hz
100 μA
24Hours/7Days





Placement of electrodes varies depending on the treatment given and where the pain is. McMakin (2004), as depicted below, applied the microcurrent therapy via gloves.







Picture below shows the electrode positioning used to for wound healing on a horse. The electrode pairs are placed either side of the wound. It is important that the electrodes do not touch (Frick & McCauley, 2005).



REFERENCES

Dynatron 950plus & Dynatron 650plus Service Manual. (n.d.) Retrieved 29 March, 2012 from
http://www.ersbiomedical.com/Manuals/Dynatron/D950_650plusService%20Manual%20with%20schematics.pdf

Frick, A. & McCauley, D. (2005). Microcurrent electrical therapy, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 25(1), 418-422. doi: 10.1016/j/jevs.2005.09.012

Ho, L.O.L., Kwong, W.L. & Cheing, G.L.Y. (2007). Effectiveness of microcurrent therapy in the management of lateral epicondyltis: A pilot study, Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal, 25, 14-20

McMakin, C.R. (2004). Microcurrent therapy: A novel treatment method for chronic low back myofascial pain, Journal of Bodywork and Movement, 8, 143-153