Timing, Duration and Dose of Electrical Stimulation Impact Modulation of Nerve Regeneration in Peripheral Nerve Injury

Abstract

Electrical stimulation (ES) is known as one of the effective and efficient physical modalities in managing peripheral nerve injuries. Peripheral nerve injuries greatly impact an individual‟s activities of daily living (ADL), which in turn affects the quality of life. Its effect focuses on the enhanced gene expression, which includes (NGF, BDNF, NT 4/5, cAMP, and VEGF), expedites and enhance guidance of axonal regeneration into its proper pathway. Thus, ES allows early onset of regeneration by reducing staggering time, which increases the likelihood for more axons to cross the coaptation site within a proper pathway instead of increasing its regeneration rate. This review aims to understand the physiological nerve regeneration process with the use of ES and the appropriate application to be given in peripheral nerve injuries.