Therapeutic Application of Electric Fields in the Injured Nervous System

ADVANCES IN WOUND CARE, 2014 · DOI: 10.1089/wound.2013.0450 · Published: February 1, 2014

Simple Explanation

Nervous system injuries often heal slowly or incompletely, creating a need for new treatments. Applying electric fields (EFs) may help stimulate nerve regeneration. EFs have shown promise in treating eye injuries by protecting nerve cells. They can also stimulate regrowth in damaged limb nerves and potentially improve spinal cord regeneration. More research is needed to determine the best ways to use electrical stimulation and understand how it works. Despite these unknowns, EFs offer a promising new approach for treating difficult nervous system injuries.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Animal models and human trials reviewed

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
Exogenous EFs have shown neuroprotective effects in various eye injury models, including traumatic injury and glaucoma.
2
In the PNS, EFs can stimulate regrowth and improve functional recovery in damaged limb nerves.
3
In the spinal cord, EF stimulation may achieve axonal regeneration and improve the quality of life.

Research Summary

Nervous system injuries, whether in the CNS or PNS, often lead to poor outcomes. Electric fields (EFs) are being explored as a therapeutic approach to enhance nerve regeneration. EFs have demonstrated potential benefits in various injury models, including those affecting the eye, peripheral nerves, and spinal cord. These benefits include neuroprotection, stimulated regrowth, and improved functional recovery. While the optimal electrical stimulation paradigms and mechanisms remain unclear, EFs offer a promising therapeutic avenue for treating nervous system injuries.

Practical Implications

Ophthalmology

EF stimulation may soon translate to clinical use for treating retinal damage and corneal injuries due to ease of application.

Peripheral Nerve Repair

EF stimulation can be used to enhance nerve regeneration and functional recovery after peripheral nerve injuries, potentially improving patient outcomes.

Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

EF stimulation shows promise in promoting axonal growth and functional recovery after SCI, offering a potential adjunct therapy to current treatments.

Study Limitations

1
The optimal paradigm for electrical stimulation has not been determined.
2
The mechanisms behind the effect of EF are still largely unknown.
3
Clinical outcome has been encouraging in some cases, there is an apparent lack of systematic characterization and optimization of using EFs in such treatments

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