Display options
Cite
Machado AF, Santana EF, Tacani PM, et al. The effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on tissue repair: A literature review. Can J Plast Surg. 2012;20(4):237-40
Machado, A. F., Santana, E. F., Tacani, P. M., & Liebano, R. E. (2012). The effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on tissue repair: A literature review. The Canadian journal of plastic surgery = Journal canadien de chirurgie plastique, 20(4), 237-40.
Machado, Aline Fernanda Perez, et al. "The effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on tissue repair: A literature review." The Canadian journal of plastic surgery = Journal canadien de chirurgie plastique vol. 20,4 (2012): 237-40.
Machado AF, Santana EF, Tacani PM, Liebano RE. The effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on tissue repair: A literature review. Can J Plast Surg. 2012;20(4):237-40. PMID: 24294017; PMCID: PMC3513252.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

Can J Plast Surg. 2012;20(4):237-40.

The effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on tissue repair: A literature review.

The Canadian journal of plastic surgery = Journal canadien de chirurgie plastique

Aline Fernanda Perez Machado, Eduardo Ferreira Santana, Pascale Mutti Tacani, Richard Eloin Liebano

Affiliations

  1. Physical Therapy Department, São Paulo City University, São Paulo, Brazil.

PMID: 24294017 PMCID: PMC3513252

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) consists of a generic application of low-frequency, pulsed electrical currents transmitted by electrodes through the skin surface. It is a therapeutic modality that is nonpharmacological, noninvasive, inexpensive, easy to use and widely applied in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: To narratively review the scientific evidence of the effects of TENS on tissue repair with respect to wound healing, skin flap viability and tendinous repair.

METHODS: The study was conducted using the MEDLINE, Lilacs and Scielo databases, without limit to the period of publication, and was completed in November 2011. Inclusion criteria were randomized or nonrandomized, controlled or noncontrolled clinical trials, and experimental trials involving rats subjected to TENS for tissue repair.

RESULTS: Thirty articles on tissue repair were found and, among these, 14 reported on wound healing, 14 reported on skin flaps and two analyzed tedinous repair.

DISCUSSION: It was suggested that TENS stimulates skin wound healing and tendon repair, as well as the viability of random skin flaps. Such effects may be due to the release of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide, which would increase blood flow and, consequently, hasten the events leading to tissue repair.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on the scientific evidence regarding the effects of TENS on tissue repair, the findings of the present literature review were inconclusive because data from the randomized controlled clinical trials were insufficient to confirm such effects.

Keywords: Achilles tendon; Literature review; Physical therapy modalities; Skin flaps; Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation; Wound healing

References

  1. Acupunct Electrother Res. 2001;26(1-2):25-37 - PubMed
  2. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1993 Feb;74(2):182-7 - PubMed
  3. Acta Physiol Scand. 1988 Sep;134(1):89-94 - PubMed
  4. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2001 Aug;56(8):B356-63 - PubMed
  5. Clin Physiol. 2000 Mar;20(2):150-7 - PubMed
  6. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2007 May;27(3):154-61 - PubMed
  7. Eur Heart J. 1982 Aug;3(4):303-14 - PubMed
  8. J Diabetes Complications. 1997 Sep-Oct;11(5):291-7 - PubMed
  9. Diabetes Care. 1997 Mar;20(3):405-12 - PubMed
  10. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2000 Jun;55(6):B257-63 - PubMed
  11. Angiology. 1995 Jul;46(7):613-8 - PubMed
  12. Ann Plast Surg. 2006 Dec;57(6):670-2 - PubMed
  13. Gen Pharmacol. 1984;15(2):107-13 - PubMed
  14. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1993 Feb;91(2):236-44 - PubMed
  15. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 1990;24(2):129-34 - PubMed
  16. Phys Ther. 2001 Jun;81(6):1183-91 - PubMed
  17. Wound Repair Regen. 1996 Jan-Mar;4(1):21-8 - PubMed
  18. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2010 Jul;30(4):260-8 - PubMed
  19. Acta Cir Bras. 2006 May-Jun;21(3):133-8 - PubMed
  20. Ann Plast Surg. 1992 Oct;29(4):328-31 - PubMed
  21. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2004 Nov;28(5):511-6 - PubMed
  22. Acta Cir Bras. 2005;20 Suppl 2:28-34 - PubMed
  23. Acta Physiol Scand. 1988 Sep;134(1):95-9 - PubMed
  24. Anesth Analg. 1980 Jan;59(1):22-5 - PubMed
  25. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1988 Jan;70(1):109-12 - PubMed
  26. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2008 Dec;10(6):492-9 - PubMed
  27. Am J Sports Med. 1993 Nov-Dec;21(6):791-9 - PubMed
  28. Am J Chin Med. 1997;25(3-4):273-80 - PubMed
  29. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1988 May;81(5):813-5 - PubMed
  30. Gen Pharmacol. 1984;15(2):115-22 - PubMed
  31. Wound Repair Regen. 2008 Jan-Feb;16(1):65-9 - PubMed
  32. Acta Orthop Belg. 2003 Dec;69(6):528-32 - PubMed
  33. Acta Cir Bras. 2005;20 Suppl 2:2-9 - PubMed
  34. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 2000 Mar;34(1):61-4 - PubMed
  35. Acupunct Electrother Res. 1989;14(1):43-60 - PubMed
  36. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2002 Jan;83(1):5-9 - PubMed
  37. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 1999 Jun;33(2):195-201 - PubMed
  38. Acupunct Electrother Res. 1988;13(4):165-76 - PubMed
  39. Eura Medicophys. 2007 Jun;43(2):155-60 - PubMed
  40. Phys Ther. 1995 Jul;75(7):621-8 - PubMed
  41. Pain. 2011 Feb;152(2):335-342 - PubMed
  42. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2009 Oct;117(3):611-4 - PubMed
  43. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 2003;37(1):10-3 - PubMed
  44. Lancet. 1988 Sep 24;2(8613):712-4 - PubMed
  45. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998 Jun;30(6):788-93 - PubMed
  46. Science. 1965 Nov 19;150(3699):971-9 - PubMed
  47. Acta Orthop Belg. 2005 Jun;71(3):342-6 - PubMed

Publication Types