Article

Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a common and serious problem for wheelchair users, such
as individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI), resulting in great discomfort,
loss of quality of life, and significant medical care costs. Therefore, it is of
utmost importance to prevent PUs. In this literature overview, the effects of
electrical stimulation (ES) on the risk factors for developing PUs in people with
an SCI are examined and synthesized from January 1980 to January 2015.
Thirty-four relevant studies of PU prevention in SCI were identified. Four were
randomized clinical trials, 24 were case series, 6 had other designs. Three types
of ES modalities were identified. The methodological quality varied from poor to
fairly strong, with a large variety in used ES parameters. Twenty-three studies
were identified describing short-term effects of ES on interface pressure,
oxygenation, and/or blood flow, and 24 studies described the long-term effects of
ES on muscle volume, muscle strength, and histology. Whereas there is a lack of
controlled studies on the effects of ES on PU incidence, which disallows definite
conclusions, there is moderate evidence to suggest that ES-induced muscle
activation has a positive influence on several risk factors for developing PUs in
people with an SCI.

Langue : ANGLAIS