• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.121-133
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• 2008

Objectives : MENS was used for wound healing and pain relief using bioelectric property. There are many articles on in vivo and clinical research. This article reviews articles on MENS published for recent 10 years to consider effectiveness of MENS and other fields to applicate MENS. Articles were collected from MAR, 2008 to JUN, 2008. Methods : We searched Pubmed, KSI, KERIS, KMBASE, and National assembly library using "Microcurrent Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation" and classified the articles into subsets of foreign, Korean and wound healing, pain, relief, and increasing the range of movement(ROM). Also we evaluated their values according to the Jadad scale. Results : A total of 18 articles (Foreign-9, Korean-9) reconfirmed that MENS reduces pain, increases wound healing, ROM, and strength of muscle. In addition, MENS has effect on stress-hormone and various pain like low back pain, acute lateral epicondylitis, and plantar fascitis. And there are various styles developed. However, there is no standard protocol so the user is usually in trouble at clinic. Conclusions : MENS may be have application to various pain diseases, and further studies analysing its effectiveness are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 2024

Background: This study examined the Immediate effects of IASTM using microcurrent and the flossing band on the lower extremity fascia thickness in subjects with Intrinsic patellofemoral pain syndrome. Methods: Sixty-six subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome were randomized into three groups (22 each in the microcurrent IASTM (instrument assisted soft-tissue mobilization) group, and flossing band group, and combined microcurrent IASTM and flossing band group) to evaluate the immediate effects of the lower extremity fascia thickness before and after intervention. The thickness of the lower extremity fascia was measured using an ultrasound machine. Using SPSS Window. 22.0, a Shapiro Wilk was conducted to test the normality of all variables; within-group comparisons were made with a paired-samples t-test, and between-group interventions were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance. Results: Changes in the thickness of the fascia in the thigh area were observed before and after intervention in all three groups. There was a significant decrease, and in the combined group, there was a significant decrease in fascia thickness compared to when the IASTM group and the flossing band group were applied separately (p<.05). Conclusion: Through this study, the effect on fascia thickness was confirmed when IASTM and flossing band intervention were combined, and it is believed that it can be used as basic clinical data for patients with knee-thigh pain syndrome.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2011

Purpose : This study investigated the effects of osteoarthritis therapy using images and histological diagnosis after microcurrents were applied to osteoarthritic rats. Methods : Osteoarthritis was induced with a mixture of 2% carrageenan and 2% kaolin. The mixture (0.1 $m{\ell}$) was injected into the knee joints of rats. Osteoarthritis with articulation received microcurrent stimulation for four weeks (15 min/day, 5 days/week): treated with pulsation frequency of 5 pps and a stimulation intensity of 25 ${\mu}A$. Results : Osteoarthritis of the control group constantly changed. The group with a stimulation intensity of 25 ${\mu}A$ applied to the surface of the articular cartilage experienced near normal recovery according to image diagnosis. The result of histological and immunohistochemistry inspection confirms that microcurrent stimulation had a positive effect on the treatment of osteoarthritis. Conclusion : The differences among images and histological diagnoses show that steoarthritis will experience constant progression from stimulation.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.427-432
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• 2018

High-capacity secondary batteries can cause explosion hazards owing to microcurrent variations or current surges that occur in short circuits. Consequently, complete safety cannot be achieved with general protection that is limited to a mere current fuse. Hence, in the case of secondary batteries, it is necessary for the protector to limit the inrush current in a short circuit, and to detect the current during microcurrent variations. To serve this purpose, a fuse can be employed for the secondary battery protection circuit with current detection. This study aims at designing a protection device that can stably operate in the hazardous circumstances associated with high-capacity secondary batteries. To achieve the said objective, a detecting fuse was designed from an alloy of low melting point elements for securing stability in abnormal current states. Experimental results show that the operating I-T and V-T characteristic constraints can be satisfied by employing the proposed current detecting self-contained low melting point fuse, and through the resistance of the heating resistor. These results thus verify that the proposed protection device can prevent the hazards of short circuit current surges and microcurrent variations of secondary batteries.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.76-87
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• 2000

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common problem that can interfere with rehabilitation as well as activities of daily living. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of both transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation (MENS) on DOMS, Twenty-seven untrained and male volunteer subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: 1) a group that received TENS (7 Hz), 2) MENS (60 ${\mu}A$, .3 pps) or 3) a control group that received no treatment. Subjects performed repeated eccentric exercise of the non-dominant forearm flexor muscle with submaximal intensity by the simply designed eccentric exercise devices. Treatments were applied after 24 hours and 48 hours. Subjects attended on two consecutive days for treatment and measurement of elbow flexion, extension, resting angle (universal goniometer), and pain (visual analogue scale: VAS) on a daily basis. Measurements were taken after treatment. Analysis of results were as follows; 1) There were no significant differences between TENS and MENS by one-way repeated ANOVA, 2) The t-test for pain, resting, flexion and extension angle revealed significant differences within TENS group, 3) The t-test for resting angle revealed significant differences within MENS group.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 1994

The purposes of this study were 1) to examine the effects of microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation 2) to compare surface electrode with needle electrode at somatic acupuncture points on experimental pain threshold measured at the distal end of the radius 3) to determine the changes in effect over time. A total of sixty healthy adult male and female subjects were assigned randomly to one of two experimental group or to a control group. Group 1(n=20) received MENS(Microcurrent Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation) with surface electrode. Group 2(n=20) received HENS with needle electrode. Group 3(n=20) received no MENS. It measured experimental pain threshold at the wrist on pretreatment, 0 min after treatment. 15 min after treatment, 30 min after treatment in two experimental group. The results were as follows: 1. Experimental pain thresholds were higher in males than females(P<0.01). 2. Only the experimental group exhibited a significant increased in pain threshold after MENS treatment(P<0.05). 3. Surface electrode group increased significant pain threshold 0 min, 15 min after treatment, but greatly decrease 30 min after treatment. 4. Needle electrode group increased significant pain threshold 0 min, 15 min after treatment, but decrease 30 min after treatment. The results suggest that MENS applied to appropriate somatic acupuncture point can increase pain threshold. Further research is needed to assess the effects of greatly variety intensity of MENS of pain sufferes.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.587-598
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to test the microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation on muscle soreness, serum creatine kinase levels and force deficits evident following a high-intensity eccentric exercise bout. 10 volunteer male subjects were randomly assigned to a treatment group or to a control group. Exercise consisted of high-intensity eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors. Resistance was reduced as subjects fatigued, until they reached exhaustion. Muscle soreness rating was determined using a visual analog scale. Serum creatine kinase levels were analyzed using a blood sample. Force deficits were determined by measures of maximal voluntary isometric contraction at $90^{\circ}$ of elbow flexion on a Orthotron II dynamometer. Muscle soreness rating, serum creatine kinase levels and maximal voluntary isometric contraction were determined at the before exercise and again at 24 and 48 hours postexericse. Treatments were applied immediately following exercise. The control group subjects rested following their exercise bout. Statistical analysis showed significant increases in muscle soreness rating and significant decreases in maximal voluntary isometric contraction when the before exercise was compared with 24 and 48 hour measures(p<0.01). No significant effects were observed between groups in muscle soreness rating and maximal voluntary isometric contraction(p>0.05). Highly significants differences in serum creatine kinase levels were found using on Analysis of variance(ANOVA) repeated measures between groups for each time cycles(p<0.001). This modality may have benefits when used early stage in the muscle damage.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.107-116
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• 2013

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the most effective stimulating electrode in Microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation (MENS) for pain relief, and to apply to the treatment of Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Methods We included 45 participants who met the inclusion criteria. DOMS of both Triceps Surae Muscles were experimentally induced through eccentric contractions. 24-hours after induction of DOMS, who scored more than 40 mm in visual analogue scale (VAS) were randomly assigned into three groups (n=44). In 15 of them, needle electrodes were inserted into BL57, BL56. In 15 of them, surface electrodes were applied on the same points and the others were treated with manual acupuncture. The effects of pain relief were assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS), mechanical pain threshold (MPT), surface electromyography (SEMG). Results In VAS, group comparison had no significant difference after all treatments had done. The difference in VAS between the time before the treatment was started (Day 2) and after all treatments were completed was greater in Acupuncture group than that of needle-electrode group. In MPT, there was no significant difference among groups. Electrical contraction decreased significantly at 2nd before-after treatment comparison in needle-electrode MENS group. But fatigue scores were not significantly different between groups. Conclusions The results suggest that the types of electrodes has no significant effect on microcurrent therapy in DOMS.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.845-866
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• 1997

Several experimental studies showed that the application of small amounts of electric current to bone stimulated osteogenesis at the site of the cathode and suggests that the application of electrical currents to periodontal defects could promote bone and cementum formation. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of direct microcurrent to the periodontal regeneration of class III furcation defects in dogs. Class III furcation defects were surgically created on the third and the fourth premolars bilaterally in the mandibles of nine mongrel dogs. Experimental periodontitis were induced by placing small cotton pellets into the created defects for 3 weeks. The experimental sites were divided into three groups according to the treatment modalities: Group I-surgical debridement only; Group II-allogenic demineralized freeze dried bone grafting; Group III-allogenic demineralized freeze dried bone grafting and electrical stimulation. For fluorescence microscopic evaluation, calcein, oxytetracycline HCI and alizarin red were injected 2, 4 and 8 weeksfS days prior to sacrifice) after surgery. The animals were sacrificed in the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 8th week after periodontal surgery and the decalcified and undecalcified specimens were prepared for histological and histometrical examination. After the first and the second weeks, gingival recession was more severe in group I than groups II and III. After the fourth and the eighth weeks, there was no difference in the width of junctional epithelium and connective tissue attachment among the three groups, but the width of connective tissue attachment increased in group II at the eighth week, compared to the fourth week. The amount of bone repair in new attachment was significantly greater in group III, compared to groups I and II. New attachment formation was significantly greater in group III, compared to groups I and group II. These results suggest that electrical stimulation using microcurrent generator could be a useful tool for periodontal regenerative therapy in class III furcation defect.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.151-159
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of cold application on knee joint in rats induced by osteoarthritis. Methods : Osteoarthritis was induced in female Sprague-Dowley rats by injecting into articular cavity of knee joint with 4% Kaolin, 2% carrageenan. Rats were divided randomly into the control and MES applicated group. The Experimental group was applicated MES in rat knee joint for 30 minutes. Results : Recovery of articular cartilage surface and thickness of articular cartilage increased after MES application. And chondrocytes were distributed widely throughout the cartilage matrix. The physical effects of Microcurrent Electrical Stimulation. Decrease in blood flow. Delay of neurotransmitter velocity Decrease in metabolism activity and inhibit the progress of the infection. Decrease in pain and muscle rigidity, inhibition of circulation Conclusion : This study shows that MES application affects articular cartilage recovery in osteoarthritis.