Study shows potential of electronic wound healing technology

Researchers at the University of Manchester, UK, have added to the growing scientific evidence that electrical stimulation can accelerate the healing of chronic wounds such as pressure or diabetic ulcers, according to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE.

In the most recent study, the scientists treated the wounds of 40 volunteers using electrical pulses over a period of two weeks. The electrical pulses stimulated the formation of new blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the wounds and helping them heal faster.

“When used in acute and chronic wounds, bandages are essentially just a covering,”  said Dr. Ardeshir Bayat, the principal investigator, in a press release. “With this technology we hope that the dressings will be able to make a significant functional contribution to healing the wounds and getting the patient back to full health as quickly as possible.”