Microcurrent therapy as a potential measure for treatment of pressure ulcer - a case report

Background and Purpose: Electrical stimulation has been used in clinical practice to accelerate wound healing for which positive results have been reported in clinical studies. The Purpose of the case report is to document the clinical effects of application of microcurrent stimulation in healing of pressure ulcer in a chronic bedridden patient. Case Description: The Patient was a 53 year old male who was diagnosed to have Cerebro vascular accident with Intraventricular hemorrhage and subsequent hydrocephalus underwent external ventricular drainage and Ventriculo peritoneal shunting before one year. Current evaluation demonstrated primary impairments of muscle weakness in right upper and lower limbs associated with activity limitation of bed mobility and ambulation. The patient also had secondary impairments of grade IV pressure ulcer in the sacral region. A plan of care was developed to focus on the management of primary and secondary impairments along with application of microcurrent electrical stimulation for management of pressure ulcer. Outcomes: The patient had benefits with significant reduction in the surface area of the pressure ulcer following 8 weeks of microcurrent stimulation. The Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) showed a significant change from a score of 15 at week one, to a score of 6 at the end of 8 weeks. Discussion: Pressure ulcers are one of the most common issues in the elderly and immobile individuals, which constitute a major psychological and physiological burden with reduced quality of life. Among the treatment options, this research report focuses on the beneficial effects of Microcurrent electrical stimulation, based on its results in pain control, edema control and wound healing.