• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 2005

The purpose of study is that we will observe the change of c-fos and CGRP with the immunohistochemistry method and then we will study the effect of microcurrent stimulation following the frequency after inducing pain to rats with capsaicin. The experimental groups were divided by microcurrent application and pain induce. Normal control groups is used in experiment I, the group which we induce pain is used in experiment II, the application group which we induce pain and then the high frequency microcurrent stimulation is used in experiment III, the application group which we induce pain and then the low frequency microcurrent stimulation is used in experiment IV. c-fos was strongly expressed after pain induced 2 hours and positive neurons were decreased from 2 hours. At 7 days, positive neuron recovers to normal range, But c-fos positive neuron of microcurrent stimulation group were decreased from 2 hours. CGRP was strongly expressed after pain induced 24 hours, and positive neurons were decreased from 7 days. These results suggests that microcurrent stimulation therapy effect to control pain according to expression of c-fos and CGRP examined by immunohistochemistry. Also high frequency microcurrent stimulation is more effective than low frequency microcurrent stimulation for controling the pain.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2013

Objective: To determine the efficacy and reliability of measuring direct current microcurrent applied through the skin to determine injury in the underlying tissues. Design: Case control study. Methods: First, microcurrent was measured as decreased blood flow induced hypoxia in healthy subjects. Next, reliability was assessed by measuring over ten days with set variations in pressure and distance between the electrodes. Finally, measurements over sprained ankle were compared to measurements over comparable uninjured areas on the same injured subject. Results: For the blood flow test phase, microcurrent significantly decreased an average of 17% after 5 minutes (p<0.05), remained decreased for 30 seconds, and returned to non-occlusive levels after 2 minutes of normal circulation. The results indicate that the microcurrent decrease was not due to blood flow, and most likely from hypoxic cellular damage. For the reliability phase, the coefficients of variation averaged 10.3% for the shoulder, 14.8% for the low back, and 29.1% for the knee. Changing distance 2.5 cm between the electrodes resulted in insignificant changes. Changes in pressure had some significant effect after an increase in force of 2.6 N, affirming the need for consistent pressure for measurement. For the injury test phase, a significant 69% decrease occurred comparing injured areas to the same area on the uninjured side, and a significant 74% occurred comparing injured and non-injured areas on the same limb. Conclusions: Microcurrent through the skin shows promise as an objective method of assessing a soft tissue injury by detecting damage likely due to hypoxia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.9-17
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare the effects of the Graston-based massage method and microcurrent application on muscle fatigue after causing muscle fatigue of the quadriceps femoris by applying high-intensity exercise. METHODS: Study subjects (56 healthy subjects in their 20s) were randomized into a microcurrent group (MG), Graston group (GG), and control group (CG). To induce fatigue of the quadriceps femoris, the subjects performed squats 100 times without a break within about 5 minutes. Muscle fatigue was measured immediately after performing squats and 15 minutes after intervention. To measure muscle fatigue, surface electromyogram (EMG) was used to obtain and compare the median frequency. Microcurrent or Graston massage was applied to their quadriceps muscles 15 minutes after performing the squats. RESULTS: Muscle fatigue increased significantly in the vastus lateralis before and after intervention in the Graston group (p<.05), while no significant difference was observed in the rectus femoris and vastus medialis (p>.05). There were also no significant differences in the microcurrent group or the control group. CONCLUSION: Both the microcurrent group and Graston group showed a tendency for increasing median frequency values compared to the control group, but there was no significant difference except in the vastus lateralis treated with the Graston technique. Although there was no significant difference, the Graston technique could be utilized to reduce the occurrence of DOMS by preventing muscle fatigue in clinical practice or sports medicine.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.293-299
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the potential benefits of microcurrent stimulation as a non-invasive therapeutic approach for managing pain and improving the quality of life in women suffering from primary dysmenorrhea. Design: A case study. Methods: This study was conducted, involving a cohort of 6 women diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea, aged between 20 to 30 years. Participants were received microcurrent stimulation using low-intensity microcurrents for 30 minutes every day for 4 weeks. The intensity of microcurrent stimulation was 25 μA and the frequency was 8 Hz. The intervention was administered between the menstruations, with pain intensity and quality of life being assessed at baseline, and then at the end of menstrual cycle. Pain intensity was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) and menstrual symptom questionnaire (MSQ), while the quality of life was assessed through the stress response inventory (SRI), state trait anxiety inventory (STAI), center for epidemiologic studies depression (CES-D), and menstrual distress questionnaire (MEDI-Q). Results: After the intervention, participants demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in pain intensity, as evidenced by improved VAS scores (p<0.05). However, the changes in MSQ scores did not reach statistical significance. Regarding quality of life measures, no statistically significant differences were found in the SRI, STAI, CES-D, and MEDI-Q scores after the intervention (p>0.05). Conclusions: This study suggest that microcurrent stimulation holds promise as a potential treatment option for alleviating pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.286-292
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• 2011

This study investigated the degree of fracture healing using cathode stimulation of microcurrent, cathode and anode stimulation of High Voltage Pulsed Galvanic Current (HVPGC). Measures were performed by X-ray test and Hematoxylin-Eosin stain and Masson's trichrome stain and osteocalcin-positive immunoreactivity. In the measure of X-ray, microcurrent stimulation group revealed more rapid recovery than the groups of HVPGC's cathode and anode stimulation in bone union degrees. Microcurrent group showed significant difference statistically (p<0.05). However, the groups of HVPGC's cathode and anode stimulation didn't show significant difference statistically(p>0.05). In the histologic examination with Hematoxylin-Eosin and Masson's trichrome, microcurrent stimulation group was observed more proliferation of irregular woven bones than the groups of HVPGC's cathode and anode stimulation. Osteocalcin-positive immunoreactivity was observed more osteoblast, osteocyte, osteoclast, bone matrix than the groups of HVPGC's cathode and anode stimulation. Microcurrent stimulation can be considered an effective way during healing of fresh fracture and it can show more effective method than HVPGC's cathode and anode stimulation in the fracture healing.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.43-55
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of microcurrent stimulation intensity($50{\mu}A,\;100{\mu}A,\;300{\mu}A$ - 5 pps pulse frequency was same) on wound healing in rat. Sixty male Korean rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 15 for 4 different treatment protocols(none-control group, $50{\mu}A,\;100{\mu}A,\;300{\mu}A$ experimental groups). Experimental 20 mm linear wound were made and all animals in the experimental groups were received microcurrent stimulation once a day for 20 minutes until sacrifice days(1st day, 3rd day, 6th day). A vernier caliper was used to measure a wound healing length and an optical microscope was used to determine any histological changes. The repeated measures two-way ANOVA was used for statistical differences in wound healing length. Experimental results were as follows: 1. In the examination with the naked eye, all groups showed similar changes until 1st day. But from 3rd day, a little intercellular fluid soaked through wound region in control group. In experimental groups, little intercellular fluid soaked through wound region, and swelling and redness did not appear. 2. Wound length of experimental $50{\mu}A$ group was significantly decreased than control group(p<0.001). And in the aspect of application period, wound length was significantly decreased in 3th, 6th day than 1st day and 6th day than 3th day (p<0.001). In conclusion, it has been found that the microcurrent stimulation had a positive effect on wound healing. And $50{\mu}A$ stimulation intensity was more effective than other intensities($100{\mu}A,\;300{\mu}A$) in wound healing. Also, low-intensity microcurrent stimulation was more effective on the purpose of wound healing.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.67-78
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study were to examine the anti-hyperalgesic effects of combination of electroacupuncture and microcurrent on anti-hyperalgesia in local hyperalgesia zone. Methods: It used 24 rats for experiment, divided them into control group, electroacupuncture group (EA group), microcurrent group (MC group), combination of electroacupuncture with microcurrent (EA+MC group), caused hyperalgesia by injecting ${\lambda}-carrageenan$ into hindpaw. Thickness of hindpaw, mechanical pain threshold (MPT), thermal pain threshold (TPT), noxious flexion withdrawal reflex (NFR) and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) were measured immediately after induction, at 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours after induction. The electrical stimulation was given once a day for three days, 20min per session. Results: Change of thickness, MPT, and TPT showed significant difference in all groups compared to control group. In particular, there were remarkable difference in EA+ME group. In particular there were remarkable differences in EA group and EA+MC group. Change of NFR(% threshold, % reaction time, % RMS) and SEP showed mainly significant differences in EA group and EA+ME group compared to control group. In particular, there were remarkable difference in EA+ME group. Conclusion: The above results suggest that appropriate combination of microcurrent with electroacupuncture for pain control will be very desirable.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.103-108
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• 2009

Purpose: Electrical stimulation is one of several treatments recommended for RA patients. Electrical stimulation of RA patients, reduces pain, or facilitates joint motion prior to exercises. However, there is still limited evidence on the efficacy of electrical stimulation and thus any conclusions drawn about this method remain controversial. Recently, Microcurrent Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation (MENS) has received significant attention as a potential method of electrical stimulation. In this study, we investigated the effect of microcurrent treatment in rheumatoid arthritis rat. Methods: Subjects were allocated either to the control group or experimental group, which was subject to microcurrent stimulation. Interleukin-1 expression in the metatarsophlangeal joint and the oedema index in the ankle were used for classification and subsequent evaluation of pathology. Subjects were assessed at 1, 7 and 14 days after inducing rheumatoid arthritis through adjuvant injection. Thirty-six subjects, 18 in each group, were used in this study. Statistical analysis was performed by calculating the differences between the two groups and between each interval assessment. Categorical variables were compared between the two groups with the paired-T test. The one-way ANOVA test was performed to assess changes in ordinal variables. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups. The biological marker of pro-inflammatory cytokine and oedema index were decreased in response to this treatment. Conclusion: These data show that treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with a microcurrent stimulation device reduced the oedema index and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the intensity of microcurrent stimulation (with currents of 50 ${\mu}A$, 100 ${\mu}A$ and 300 ${\mu}A$ using a pulse frequency of 5 pps) on wound healing in rats. Methods: Sixty male Korean rats were randomly divided into four groups of 15 rats that were subjected to four different treatment protocols (control group, no treatment; experimental groups, treated with currents of 50 ${\mu}A$, 100 ${\mu}A$ or 300 ${\mu}A$). An experimental 20 mm linear wound was made in each animal and all animals in the experimental groups received microcurrent stimulation once a day for 20 minutes until the day of sacrifice on day 1, day 3 and day 6. An optical microscope was used to determine any histological changes. Results: The experimental results were as follows. 1. In an examination with the naked eye, all groups showed similar changes until the first day. However, from the third day, a little intercellular fluid soaked through wound region in the control group rats. In the experimental group animals, little intercellular fluid soaked through wound region, and swelling and redness did not appear, from the third day. 2. In an examination with histological evaluation, more significant changes were observed in all of the experimental group rats than the control group animals. Especially, a stimulation intensity of 50 ${\mu}A$ caused a more significant effect than the use of the other intensities by day 6 of wound healing. In addition, rapid recovery was observed. Conclusion: It was determined that microcurrent stimulation had a positive effect on wound healing. A stimulation intensity of 50 ${\mu}A$ was more effective than the other intensities (100 ${\mu}A$ and 300 ${\mu}A$) utilized for wound healing. Furthermore, low-intensity microcurrent stimulation was more effective for the purpose of wound healing.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.114-125
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• 2011

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of microcurrent taping therapy and kinesio taping therapy. Methods: We included 58 participants who met the inclusion criteria and assigned them into two groups after the randomization. We allocated 29 participants to the microcurrent taping therapy group (MCT) and the other 29 to the general kinesio taping therapy group (GT). 27 participants completed the trial in the MCT group, 27 participants in GT. We attached "I" shaped 20cm tape along the erector muscle of the spine starting from the level of S2, and another 30cm tape on the iliac crest horizontally. These "I" shaped tapes were attached on two parts of the body and were performed the same way for both groups. This procedure was done 8 times and participants visited a total of 9 times including a final visit for evaluation. We measured Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Range of Motion (ROM) and Schober's test on every visit. Participants completed a questionnaire of Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) on the first and last visits. Results & Conclusion: There was a significant effect of microcurrent taping therapy on lower back pain, but we could not establish the superior effect of microcurrent taping therapy compared with general kinesio taping therapy.