Table 3.
Key findings of studies investigating the effect of ES on skin perfusion.
| Study Design | Type of ES | Exposure Duration | Experimented on | Key Outcome(s) | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCT | TENS | 15 min | 30 healthy subjects High frequency (n = 10) Low frequency (n = 10) Control (n = 10) |
Increase in skin perfusion |
[38] |
| RCT | Subcontractile ES | 60 min/day Total 6 weeks |
36 patients with ischemic limbs ES group (n = 24) Control (n = 12) |
Increase in capillary density and skin perfusion | [39] |
| RCT | HVPC | Four 60-min periods Total 1 day |
11 diabetic patients with and without PVD | Transient increase in TcPO2 in participants with PVD within 5 min | [40] |
| Case series | HVPC | 1 h/day, 7 days/week for 1–9 months | 6 patients with ischemic leg ulcers | Increased TcPO2 and total healing of ulcers post exposure | [41] |
| RCT | HVPC | 1 h/day, 7 days/week, 14 weeks | 8 Ischemic limb wounds ES group (n = 4) Sham treatment (n = 4) |
Decreased wound size and increased peri-wound circulation | [42] |