A Cochrane review of 20 studies found that electrical stimulation probably increases the proportion of pressure injuries healed and the rate of healing, but researchers reported its abilities to speed up complete healing and decrease surface area remain uncertain.
“The evidence to date is insufficient to support the widespread use of ES for pressure ulcers outside of research,” an Australian team in January reported, noting the practice had become widespread even without clinical proof of its effects.
The researchers looked at studies involving 913 participants who received ES for a median of four to eight hours per week in settings ranging from rehab centers to geriatric hospitals. About one-third of the pressure injuries were on the sacral and coccygeal region. Bias, inconsistency and imprecision in several of the previous studies led researchers to downgrade the certainty around healing times. The article also said ES may be associated with an excess of adverse events as demonstrated in 13 of the 20 studies.
“Future research needs to focus on large-scale trials to determine the effect of ES on all key outcomes,” the researchers concluded.
