PTJ
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

PHYS THER
Vol. 71, No. 6, June 1991, pp. 433-442
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Griffin, J.
Right arrow Articles by el-Zeky, F
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Griffin, J.
Right arrow Articles by el-Zeky, F

Research Report

Efficacy of high voltage pulsed current for healing of pressure ulcers in patients with spinal cord injury

JW Griffin, RE Tooms, RA Mendius, JK Clifft, R Vander Zwaag, and F el-Zeky

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Tennessee, Memphis 38163.

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of high voltage pulsed direct current (HVPC) for healing of pressure ulcers in patients with spinal cord injury. Seventeen patients having pressure ulcers in the pelvic region were randomly assigned to either an HVPC group or a placebo HVPC group. Treatments were given for 1 hour a day for 20 consecutive days. The HVPC protocol consisted of an aluminum-foil electrode placed over the ulcer and set at negative polarity in reference to the dispersive electrode placed on the thigh. Stimulator frequency was set at 100 pps, and an intensity of 200 V was used. Measurements of ulcer surface area were conducted before treatment and after treatment days 5, 10, 15, and 20. To measure ulcer area (in square millimeters), slides taken at each measurement time were projected at actual size, traced, and digitized. Percentage of change compared with pretreatment ulcer size was calculated for each measurement time. Ulcers in the HVPC group demonstrated significantly greater percentage-of-change decreases from their pretreatment size than did ulcers in the placebo group at days 5, 15, and 20. The results suggest that HVPC, in conjunction with good nursing care, can significantly increase the healing rate of pelvic ulcers in patients with spinal cord injury.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
L. R. Solis, D. P. Hallihan, R. R. E. Uwiera, R. B. Thompson, E. D. Pehowich, and V. K. Mushahwar
Prevention of pressure-induced deep tissue injury using intermittent electrical stimulation
J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2007; 102(5): 1992 - 2001.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 INT J LOW EXTREM WOUNDSHome page
L. C. Kloth
Electrical Stimulation for Wound Healing: A Review of Evidence From In Vitro Studies, Animal Experiments, and Clinical Trials
International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, March 1, 2005; 4(1): 23 - 44.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 ptjournalHome page
P. E Houghton, C. B Kincaid, M. Lovell, K. E Campbell, D. H Keast, M G. Woodbury, and K. A Harris
Effect of Electrical Stimulation on Chronic Leg Ulcer Size and Appearance
Physical Therapy, January 1, 2003; 83(1): 17 - 28.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1991 by the American Physical Therapy Association.