Significant reduction of symptoms of scarring with electrical stimulation: evaluated with subjective and objective assessment tools in a prospective noncontrolled case series.

INTRODUCTION: Fenzian wave (FW) electrical stimulation has been shown to influence cutaneous wound healing. The authors previously published a case series investigating the effect of FW on symptomatic abnormal skin scars (raised dermal scars [RDS]) using spectrophotometric intracutaneous analysis (SIAscopy). In addition, a human volunteer sequential biopsy study in acute cutaneous wounds was conducted, which demonstrated that FW increased vascularity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of FW on symptomatic RDS using full-field laser perfusion imaging (FLPI) to assess changes in dermal blood flow. METHODS: Eighteen patients with RDS and long-term pain and pruritus participated.Time points analyzed were day 0, weeks 1 and 2, and months 1 and 2. Symptoms were monitored using a subjective numerical rating scale. Additionally, a Manchester Scar Scale and digital photographywere used. Objective noninvasive measures captured quantitative data: SIAscopy to measure melanin, hemoglobin and collagen levels, and FLPI to assess the dermal blood flow. RESULTS: There were statistically significant reductions in pain scores (from day 0 to month 1, P = 0.007) and pruritus scores (from day 0 to week 1, P = 0.007; and day 0 to month 1, P = 0.002). The trend for melanin levels demonstrated an increase from day 0 to week 1, hemoglobin levels showed an increase from day 0 to week 2, and hemoglobin flux increased from day 0 to week 2 (not statistically significant). CONCLUSION: This report demonstrates that FW electrical stimulation significantly reduces the symptoms of pain and pruritus in patients with RDS. This unique treatment has the potential for management of symptomatic skin scarring. .