. 2009 Apr-Jun;43(2):127–131. doi: 10.4103/0019-5413.50846

Table 1.

A summary of the techniques of electrical stimulation of bone

Technique of electrical stimulation	Method of application	Advantages	Disadvantages
Direct electrical stimulation	One or multiple surgically implanted cathodes with one cutaneous electrode	Case series (Level IV) suggests clinical efficacy¹³ May enhance growth factor production	Invasive (requires surgical implantation of cathodes)
Capacitative coupling	Two cutaneous electrodes	Noninvasive Basic science studies show enhanced bone cell proliferation May enhance growth factor production
Inductive coupling	Cutaneous electromagnetic coil	Noninvasive Basic science studies show enhanced bone cell proliferation May enhance growth factor production	Recent meta-analysis (Level I) failed to show clinical efficacy⁷