Is Deficiency in the Electrical Current of Injury a Barrier to Healing in Hard-to-Heal Wounds? A Systematic Review with Implications for the TIMERS Paradigm.
Jenny Smith, Richard Nuccitelli, Min Zhao et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This PRISMA-guided systematic review examined whether older age, diabetes, and chronic inflammation—characteristics associated with delayed healing—are linked to altered skin and wound electrical properties. Twelve relevant studies were identified. The review found significantly lower transepidermal potential in older or diabetic people, while the current of injury was approximately half that of young, healthy controls. The authors interpret weakened bioelectrical signaling as a potential barrier to healing and propose that electrical stimulation therapy could be incorporated into wound-management frameworks to restore signaling.
Key findings
- Across 12 studies, transepidermal potential was significantly lower in older or diabetic people.
- The current of injury was approximately half that of young, healthy controls.
- Lower currents of injury were associated with slower wound healing.
Why it matters
The review highlights endogenous electrical signaling as a possible contributor to impaired healing in older people and those with diabetes. This may broaden consideration of wound-healing mechanisms beyond those addressed in existing management frameworks. The findings also provide a rationale for studying electrical stimulation as a way to support weakened signaling, while not establishing its clinical effectiveness.
What to keep in mind
The review identified 12 relevant studies; the abstract does not report pooled effect estimates or establish that electrical stimulation improves healing.