J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  1999 Oct;23(5):893-898.

Effects of Electrical Stimulation on Nerve Regeneration in Peripheral Nerve Injured Rats

• Kim YK
• Ahn SH
• Jang SH
• Park HW
• Sin HJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of direct current electrical fields and peripheral external electrical stimulation to promote regeneration of the transected rat sciatic nerve. METHOD: Four groups were studied: three experimental groups and one control group. Cathod distal (CD) group; nerves were treated with 1.0 microampere direct current with the cathode oriented distally to the lesion, anode distal (AD) group; nerves were treated with the anode oriented distally to the lesion, external stimulation (ES) group; nerves were treated with 3 mA, 60 Hz, galvanic current, using a ring electrode at ankle joint 3 times per day. No current was delivered in control group. Electrophysiologic and functional assessments were conducted at 3 weeks postoperatively.
RESULTS
All experimental groups showed significantly higher electrophysiologic and functional improvement than the control group. However, there is no significant differece in improvement among experimental groups.
CONCLUSION
Both direct current electrical field and peripheral external electrical stimulation can effectively promote peripheral nerve regeneration.

Keyword

Electrical stimulation; Nerve regeneration; Nerve injury

MeSH Terms

Animals
Ankle Joint
Electric Stimulation*
Electrodes
Nerve Regeneration*
Peripheral Nerves*
Rats*
Regeneration
Sciatic Nerve