Effect of Low Intensity Cathodal Direct Current on Rate of Healing and Quality Of Life in Diabetic Patients with Ischemic Foot Ulcer

Introduction: Adjunctive treatment using electrical stimulation has recently been shown to promote healing in patients with diabetic foot ulcer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether low intensity cathodal direct current electrical stimulation improves healing rate of foot ulcers and health related quality of life in diabetic patients. Materials and methods: A total of 30 type 2 diabetic patients with ischemic foot ulcer were included in the present randomized, single-blind, placebo controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either electrical stimulation therapy (direct current with low intensity, ES group, n=15) or sham treatment (placebo group, n=15) for 1 h/day, 3 days/week, for 4 weeks (12 sessions). Improvement ratio of wound and quality of life was evaluated at the 1 st and 12 th sessions. The quality of life was assessed using SF-36 questionnaire. Results: The mean of improvement ratio was significantly higher in the electrical stimulation group (59.4%) compared with that of the placebo group (27.07%) at the 12 th session ( P =0.02). Overall score of quality of life significantly increased in the electrical stimulation group as compared with that for the placebo group (0.01). Conclusion: By promotion of wound healing, applied low intensity cathodal direct current may increase the health-related quality of life in diabetic patients with ischemic foot ulcer.