General Studies on Microcurrent

Table of Content

Cells metabolism................................................................................................................................... 3
Pain management................................................................................................................................. 3
General................................................................................................................................................... 3
Chronic Pain.......................................................................................................................................... 3
Muscle Pain............................................................................................................................................ 4
Postoperative Pain............................................................................................................................... 4
Arthritis.................................................................................................................................................. 4
Fibromyalgia.......................................................................................................................................... 4
Headache............................................................................................................................................... 4
Wound Healing...................................................................................................................................... 5
Postoperative rehabilitation............................................................................................................... 5
Muscle Function.................................................................................................................................... 5
Muscle Fatigue and Soreness.............................................................................................................. 5
Fibrosis................................................................................................................................................... 5
Joints....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Bones...................................................................................................................................................... 5
Skin Care................................................................................................................................................ 6
Macular Degeneration......................................................................................................................... 6
Mental conditions................................................................................................................................. 6
Anxiety................................................................................................................................................... 6
Depression............................................................................................................................................. 6
Stress...................................................................................................................................................... 7
Phobias................................................................................................................................................... 7
Learning................................................................................................................................................. 7
Attention, Concentration.................................................................................................................... 7
Insomnia................................................................................................................................................ 7

2
Cells metabolism
Macfelda, K., Holly, A., & Mueller, J. (2015). Significant Enhancement of ATP-Synthesis in Cardiomyocytes
By Electric Microcurrent. Journal of Cardiac Failure, 21(8), S19.

Cheng, N., van Hoof, H., Bockx, E., Hoogmartens, M. J., Mulier, J. C., de Dijcker, F. J., Sansen, W. M.,
& de Loecker, W., (1982). The effects of electric currents on ATP generation, protein synthesis, and
membrane transport in rat skin. Clin orthop relat res, 171, 264-272.

Lohrasebi, A., Jamali, Y., & Rafii-Tabar, H. (2008). Modeling the effect of external electric field and current
on the stochastic dynamics of ATPase nano-biomolecular motors. Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its
Applications, 387(22), 5466-5476.

Kwon, D. R., Kwon, H., Lee, W. R., & Park, J. (2016). Investigating effects of nano-to micro-ampere
alternating current stimulation on Trichophyton rubrum growth. Annals of Dermatology, 28(5), 575-578.

Pain management
General
Tan, G., Alvarez, J. A., & Jensen, M. P. (2006). Complementary and alternative medicine approaches to
pain management. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(11), 1419-1431.

Kulkarni, A. D. (2001). The use of microcurrent electrical therapy and cranial electrotherapy stimulation
in pain control. Clinical Practice of Alternative Medicine, 2, 99-103.

McMakin, C. (1998). Microcurrent treatment of myofascial pain in the head, neck, and face. Topics in
Clinical Chiropractic, 5(1), 29-35.

Chronic Pain
Chevalier, A., Armstrong, K., & Gokal, R. (2016). Microcurrent point stimulation applied to acupuncture
points for the treatment of non-specific lower back pain. J Altern Complement Integr Med, 2(2).

Tan, G., Rintala, D. H., Thornby, J. I., Yang, J., Wade, W., & Vasilev, C. (2006). Using cranial electrotherapy
stimulation to treat pain associated with spinal cord injury. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and
Development, 43(4), 461-474.

Holubec, J. T. (2009). Cumulative response from cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) for chronic
pain. Practical Pain Management, 9, 80-83.

Tan, G., Rintala, D. H., Jensen, M. P., Richards, J. S., Holmes, S. A., Parachuri, R., ... & Price, L. R. (2011).
Efficacy of cranial electrotherapy stimulation for neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury: a multi-
site randomized controlled trial with a secondary 6-month open-label phase. The Journal of Spinal Cord
Medicine, 34(3), 285-296.

Koopman, J. S., Vrinten, D. H., & van Wijck, A. J. M. (2009). Efficacy of microcurrent therapy in the
treatment of chronic nonspecific back pain: a pilot study. The Clinical journal of pain, 25(6), 495-499.

Dertinger, H., Henke, R., & Mikus, E. W. J. (2003). Frequenzmodulierte Wechselströme sind erfolgreich in
der Therapie des Morbus Sudeck. Archives for Sensology and Neurootology in Science and Practice, 1.

Chapman-Jones, D., & Hill, D. (2002). Novel microcurrent treatment is more effective than conventional
therapy for chronic Achilles tendinopathy: randomised comparative trial. Physiotherapy, 88(8), 471-480

Zimmerman, S. I., & Lerner, F. N. (1989). Biofeedback and electromedicine, reduce the cycle of
painspasm-pain in low-back patients. American Journal Of Electromedicine, 108-120.

3
Lerner, F. N., & Kirsch, D. L. (1981). A double blind comparative study of microstimulation and placebo
effect in short term treatment of the chronic back pain patient. Journal of American Chiropractic
Association, 15, 101-106.

Muscle Pain
Zuim, P. R. J., Garcia, A. R., Turcio, K. H. L., & Hamata, M. M. (2006). Evaluation of microcurrent electrical
nerve stimulation (MENS) effectiveness on muscle pain in temporomandibular disorders patients.
Journal of Applied Oral Science, 14(1), 61-66.

Ho, L. O., Kwong, W. L., & Cheing, G. L. Y. (2007). Effectiveness of microcurrent therapy in the
management of lateral epicondylitis: a pilot study. Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal, 25(1), 14-20.

Postoperative Pain
Gabriel, A., Sobota, R., Gialich, S., & Maxwell, G. P. (2013). The use of targeted microcurrent therapy in
postoperative pain management. Plastic Surgical Nursing, 33(1), 6-8.

Lee, S. H., Kim, W. Y., Lee, C. H., Min, T. J., Lee, Y. S., Kim, J. H., & Park, Y. C. (2013). Effects of cranial
electrotherapy stimulation on preoperative anxiety, pain and endocrine response. Journal of
International Medical Research, 41(6), 1788-1795.

Sarhan, T. M., & Doghem, M. A. (2009). Effect of microcurrent skin patch on the epidural fentanyl
requirements for post operative pain relief of total hip arthroplasty. Middle East J Anesthesiol, 20(3),
411-416.

Arthritis
Kaya Mutlu, E., Ercin, E., Razak Ozdıncler, A., & Ones, N. (2018). A comparison of two manual physical
therapy approaches and electrotherapy modalities for patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized
three arm clinical trial. Physiotherapy theory and practice, 34(8), 600-612.

Chung, J., & Cho, N. (2015). Micro-current treatment effects on pain, balance of the degenerative knee
arthritis. Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine, 3(2), 9-16.

Fibromyalgia
Cork, R. C., Wood, P., Ming, N., Clifton, S., James, E., & Price, L. (2004). The effect of cranial electrotherapy
stimulation (CES) on pain associated with fibromyalgia. The Internet Journal of Anesthesiology, 8(2).

Lichtbroun, A. S., Raicer, M. M. C., & Smith, R. B. (2001). The treatment of fibromyalgia with cranial
electrotherapy stimulation. JCR: Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 7(2), 72-78.

Headache
Do JK, Kwon DR. (2021 Efficacy of cranial microcurrent stimulation in patients with tension-type
headache: A prospective, randomised, double-blinded, sham-controlled clinical trial. Int J Clin Pract.
Sep;75(9):e14437. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14437. Epub 2021 Jun 14. PMID: 34096661.

Brotman, P. (1989). Low-intensity transcranial electrostimulation improves the efficacy of thermal

biofeedback and quieting reflex training in the treatment of classical migraine headache. American
Journal of Electromedicine, 6(5), 120-123.

Solomon, S., Elkind, A., Freitag, F., Gallagher, R. M., Moore, K., Swerdlow, B., & Malkin, S. (1989). Safety
and effectiveness of cranial electrotherapy in the treatment of tension headache. Headache, 29(7), 445-
450.

4
Wound Healing
Sarhan, T. M., & Doghem, M. A. (2009). Effect of microcurrent skin patch on the epidural fentanyl
requirements for post operative pain relief of total hip arthroplasty. Middle East J Anesthesiol, 20(3),
411- 416.

Huckfeldt, R., Mikkelson, K., & Larson, L. (2003, February). The use of microcurrent and autocatalytic
silver plated nylon dressings in human burn patients: a feasibility study. In Maui, Hawaii: Proceedings of
John Boswick Burn and Wound Symposium.

Lee, B. Y., Wendell, K., Al-Waili, N., & Butler, G. (2007). Ultra-low microcurrent therapy: a novel approach
for treatment of chronic resistant wounds. Advances in Therapy, 24(6), 1202-1209.

Baker, L. L., Chambers, R., DeMuth, S. K., & Villar, F. (1997). Effects of electrical stimulation on wound
healing in patients with diabetic ulcers. Diabetes care, 20(3), 405-412.

Baker, L. L., Rubayi, S., Villar, F., & Demuth, S. K. (1996). Effect of electrical stimulation waveform on
healing of ulcers in human beings with spinal cord injury. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 4(1), 21-28.

Postoperative rehabilitation
Rockstroh, G., Schleicher, W., & Krummenauer, F. (2010). Effectiveness of microcurrent therapy as a
constituent of post-hospital rehabilitative treatment in patients after total knee alloarthroplasty - a
randomized clinical trial. Die Rehabilitation, 49(3), 173-179.

Muscle Function
Kwon, D. R., Kim, J., Kim, Y., An, S., Kwak, J., Lee, S., ... & Park, J. W. (2017). Short-term microcurrent
electrical neuromuscular stimulation to improve muscle function in the elderly: A randomized,
doubleblinded, sham-controlled clinical trial. Medicine, 96(26).

Muscle Fatigue and Soreness

Kang, D. H., Jeon, J. K., & Lee, J. H. (2015). Effects of low-frequency electrical stimulation on cumulative
fatigue and muscle tone of the erector spinae. Journal of physical therapy science, 27(1), 105-108.

Curtis, D., Fallows, S., Morris, M., & McMakin, C. (2010). The efficacy of frequency specific microcurrent
therapy on delayed onset muscle soreness. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 14(3), 272-279.

Allen JD, Mattacola CG, Perrin DH. (1999) Effect of microcurrent stimulation on delayed-onset muscle
soreness: a double-blind comparison. J Athl Train. 34(4):334-7. PMID: 16558582; PMCID: PMC1323340.

Welch, M. (1992). Effects of microcurrent therapy on delayed onset muscle soreness. Medicine & Science
in Sports & Exercise, 24(5), 146.

Fibrosis
Lennox, A. J., Shafer, J. P., Hatcher, M., Beil, J., & Funder, S. J. (2002). Pilot study of impedance-controlled
microcurrent therapy for managing radiation-induced fibrosis in head-and-neck cancer patients. Int. J.
Radiation Oncology Biol. Phys, 54(1), 23-34.

Joints
Bertolucci, L. E., & Grey, T. (1995). Clinical comparative study of microcurrent electrical stimulation to
mid-laser and placebo treatment in degenerative joint disease of the temporomandibular joint.
The Journal of Craniomandibular Practice, 13(2), 116-120.

Bones
Richez, J., Chamay, A., & Biéler, L. (1972). Bone changes due to pulses of direct electric microcurrent.
Virchows Archiv A, 357, 11-18.

5
Skin Care
Kern, D., Riggs, M., & Knaggs, H. (2019). A Novel Microcurrent Device to Improve Skin Structure and
Appearance. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 139(9), 329.

Jain, S., & Arora, M. (2012). Effect of microcurrent facial muscle toning on fine wrinkles & firmness of
face. IAMR Journal of Physiotherapy, 1(1), 13-19.

Saniee, F., Shirazi, H. R. G., Kalantari, K. K., Yazdanpanah, P., Soltani, A. R., Dabiri, N., Shirazi, N. G., &
Karimpour, F. (2012). Consider of micro-current’s effect to variation of facial wrinkle trend, randomized
clinical trial study. Life Science Journal, 9(3), 1184-1189.

Macular Degeneration
Chaikin, L., Kashiwa, K., Bennet, M., Papastergiou, G., & Gregory, W. (2015). Microcurrent stimulation in
the treatment of dry and wet macular degeneration. Clinical Ophthalmology, 9, 2345-2353.

Mental conditions
Anxiety
Barclay, T. H., & Barclay, R. D. (2014). A clinical trial of cranial electrotherapy stimulation for anxiety and
comorbid depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 164, 171-177.

Lee, S. H., Kim, W. Y., Lee, C. H., Min, T. J., Lee, Y. S., Kim, J. H., & Park, Y. C. (2013). Effects of cranial
electrotherapy stimulation on preoperative anxiety, pain and endocrine response. Journal of
International Medical Research, 41(6), 1788-1795.

Bystritsky, A., Kerwin, L., & Feusner, J. (2008). A pilot study of cranial electrotherapy stimulation for
generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 69(3), 412-417.

Kim, H. J., Kim, W. Y., Lee, Y. S., Chang, M. S., Kim, J. H., & Park, Y. C. (2008). The effect of cranial
electrotherapy stimulation on preoperative anxiety and hemodynamic responses. Korean Journal of
Anesthesiology, 55(6), 657-661.

Yixin, C., Lin, Y., Jiuping, Z., Lejia, L., Tunong, C., & Yi, C. (2007). Results of cranial electrotherapy
stimulation to children with mixed anxiety and depressive disorder. Shanghai Archives of Psychiatry,
19(4), 203-205.

Overcash, S. J. (1999). Cranial electrotherapy stimulation in patients suffering from acute anxiety
disorders. American Journal of Electromedicine, 30, 49-52.

Winick, R. L. (1999). Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES): a safe and effective low cost means of
anxiety control in a dental practice. General Dentistry, 47(1), 50-55.

Gibson, T. H., & O’Hair, D. E. (1987). Cranial application of low-level transcranial electrotherapy vs.
relaxation instruction in anxious patients. American Journal of Electromedicine, 4(1), 18-21.

Schmitt, R., Capo, T., & Boyd, E. (1986). Cranial electrotherapy stimulation as a treatment for anxiety in
chemically dependent persons. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 10(2), 158-160.

Depression
Roh, H. T., & So, W. Y. (2017). Cranial electrotherapy stimulation affects mood state but not levels of
peripheral neurotrophic factors or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation. Technology and Health
Care, 25(3), 403-412.

Barclay, T. H., & Barclay, R. D. (2014). A clinical trial of cranial electrotherapy stimulation for anxiety and
comorbid depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 164, 171-177.

6
Kavirajan, H. C., Lueck, K., & Chuang, K. (2014). Alternating current cranial electrotherapy stimulation
(CES) for depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 7.

Gunther, M., & Phillips, K. D. (2010). Cranial electrotherapy stimulation for the treatment of depression.
Journal of psychosocial nursing and mental health services, 48(11), 37-42.

Yixin, C., Lin, Y., Jiuping, Z., Lejia, L., Tunong, C., & Yi, C. (2007). Results of cranial electrotherapy
stimulation to children with mixed anxiety and depressive disorder. Shanghai Archives of Psychiatry,
19(4), 203-205.

Gilula, M. F., & Kirsch, D. L. (2005). Cranial electrotherapy stimulation review: a safer alternative to
psychopharmaceuticals in the treatment of depression. Journal of Neurotherapy, 9(2), 7-26.

Stress
Mellen, R. R., & Mackey, W. (2008). Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) and the reduction of stress
symptoms in a sheriff’s jail security and patrol officer population: A pilot study. American Jails, 22, 32-38.

Phobias
Smith, R. B., & Shiromoto, F. N. (1992). The use of cranial electrotherapy stimulation to block fear
perception in phobic patients. Current Therapeutic Research, 51(2), 249-253.

Learning
Madden, R. E., & Kirsch, D. L. (1987). Low intensity transcranial electrostimulation improves human
learning of a psychomotor task. American Journal of Electromedicine, 2, 41-45.

Attention, Concentration
Southworth, S. (1999). A study of the effects of cranial electrical stimulation on attention and
concentration. Integrative Physiological and Behavioral Science, 34(1), 43-53.

Insomnia
Lande, R. G., & Gragnani, C. (2012). Efficacy of cranial electric stimulation for the treatment of insomnia:
a randomized pilot study. Complementary therapies in medicine, 21(1), 8-13.

Barabasz, A. F. (1976). Treatment of insomnia in depressed patients by hypnosis and cerebral

electrotherapy. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 19(2), 120-122.
the treatment of dry and wet macular degeneration. Clinical Ophthalmology, 9, 2345-2353.