Quick Overview 

This 2012 review, published in the Canadian Journal of Plastic Surgery, examined whether TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) may influence tissue repair. TENS is different from EMS. It sends small electrical pulses through the skin to stimulate nerves. Researchers reviewed 30 studies looking at wound healing, skin flap survival after surgery, and Achilles tendon repair. Some studies reported up to 60% wound size reduction, 35% increased blood flow in ulcers, and improved tendon collagen formation. However, the review concluded that while results are promising, strong randomized human trials are still limited.

ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST

Welcome to another article in the ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST series.

Our mission is simple:
We explore interesting electrical stimulation research and explain it in clear, simple language so everyday readers can understand what scientists are studying.

This is a simplified explanation.
Links to the original research paper appear at the end for those who want full details.

How to Read This Blog

This article is a simplified educational summary of a scientific research paper.
It helps everyday readers understand what researchers studied and observed.
It is NOT a substitute for reading the original research paper.
Important details, limitations, and full scientific context exist only in the original publication.
Readers seeking full accuracy should read the original study directly.

Research Details (Q&A)

1. Who did this research and when?

This review was written by:

• Aline Fernanda Perez Machado

• Eduardo Ferreira Santana

• Pascale Mutti Tacani

• Richard Eloin Liebano

It was published in 2012.

2. Which country and institutions?

The researchers were from São Paulo City University, Brazil.

The study was published in the Canadian Journal of Plastic Surgery, a peer-reviewed medical journal.

3. Who funded the research?

The review does not clearly state a specific funding source in the publication.

4. Who was studied?

This was not one single experiment.

Instead, it reviewed:

• 30 scientific studies

  • 14 on wound healing

  • 14 on skin flap survival

  • 2 on tendon repair

These studies included:

• Human patients (diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, post-surgery patients)

• Rats used in experimental surgical models

5. What exactly was done?

Researchers looked at studies where TENS was applied:

• Low frequency (2–5 Hz)

• High frequency (70–100 Hz)

• Different intensities

• Different durations (1 minute to 2 hours)

They examined:

• Wound size reduction

• Blood flow changes

• Skin temperature

• Tissue survival after surgery

• Collagen formation in tendons

6. What was observed?

Across the reviewed studies, researchers observed:

🔹 Wound Healing

• Up to 60% reduction in wound size compared to control groups

• 35% increase in blood flow in ulcers

• Faster healing after foot amputation in diabetic patients

• Reduced re-amputation cases in one study

🔹 Skin Flap Survival (after surgery)

• Significant reduction in tissue necrosis

• Increased blood flow lasting up to 10 hours

• Improved microcirculation

🔹 Achilles Tendon Repair

In two human studies:

• Increased fibroblast activity

• Improved collagen production and organization

• Better tissue maturation during healing

Researchers suggested these effects may relate to the release of:

• Substance P

• CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide)

These chemicals are linked to increased blood flow.

Why Is This Study Different?

The unique angle of this review is its broad scope.

Instead of looking at just one injury or one experiment, it combined:

• Wound healing

• Surgical flap survival

• Tendon repair

All under one question:
Could TENS influence tissue repair through blood flow and nerve stimulation?

Few reviews had gathered all three areas together at that time.

Practical Interpretation (Non-Medical)

This review helps researchers understand:

• Electrical nerve stimulation may influence microcirculation

• Blood flow changes may be part of tissue repair processes

• Frequency and intensity likely matter

• More high-quality human trials are needed

Importantly, the authors concluded that evidence was promising but inconclusive due to limited randomized clinical trials.

Science often moves step by step.

Study Information

Original Title:
The effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on tissue repair: A literature review

Simplified Title:
Can TENS Influence Wound and Tendon Healing?

Journal:
Canadian Journal of Plastic Surgery (2012)

DOI:
DOI not publicly available at time of writing.
(Available via PubMed Central)

Source Trustworthiness:
Published in a peer-reviewed medical journal and indexed in major scientific databases.

Original study link:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3513252/

Summary Table

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What Do You Think?

If electrical stimulation may influence blood flow, could this explain why different stimulation frequencies produce different effects?

Disclaimer

This blog post is for informational and recreational purposes only.
It is not medical advice and not a substitute for professional guidance or the original research paper.
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health-related decisions.

Full disclaimer:
https://oriems.fit/blogs/research-digest/disclaimer

This content discusses scientific research observations only.
It does not provide medical advice.
Oriems Fit products are not medical devices.
They are not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
They are not intended for use while sleeping, driving, swimming, diving, or skydiving.
Reading this blog is not a replacement for reading the original research study linked above.
If the link is unavailable, please search the title directly in PubMed or Google Scholar.
All universities, researchers, research centres, and publishers mentioned have no affiliation with Oriems Fit and do not endorse our products.