Abstract
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.