Title

Effect of electrically induced muscle contractions on posttraumatic edema formation in frog hind limbs

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Source

Physical Therapy

Publication Date

1992-01-01

Volume

72

Issue

2

First Page

127

Last Page

132

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that repeated muscle contractions induced by high voltage pulsed current (HVPC) would limit volume increases in traumatized frog hind limbs. Twelve frogs were anesthetized, and both hind limbs of each frog were traumatized by impact. Limb volumes were measured via water displacement over a 24-hour period. Four 30-minute treatments of continuous 1-pulse per second HVPC were applied to one limb selected randomly. Stimulation produced muscle contractions that resulted in minimal joint movements. Volume changes from pretrauma limb volumes (in milliliters per kilogram) were analyzed by an analysis of variance for repeated measures. Our hypothesis was rejected (ie, repeated muscle contractions, as induced in this study, did not limit posttraumatic edema formation in frogs). Further investigation of the relative influences of limb position and varying pulse rates, pulse durations, and intensities of HVPC on edema formation may provide valuable insights on effective treatment of edema in humans.

Keywords

Edema, Electrical stimulation, High voltage pulsed current, Inflammation, Muscle contractions

DOI

10.1093/ptj/72.2.127

https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/72.2.127

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