Microcurrent therapy (MCT) is a form of electrical stimulation that uses very low-intensity currents to promote tissue healing and relieve symptoms. It has been studied for various types of injuries, including those affecting tendons, capsules and ligaments. This review aims to assess the effectiveness of MCT for these types of injuries based on findings from several research studies.

Key findings

Improved healing and function of tendons:

MCT significantly improves healing and functional outcomes in chronic Achilles tendinopathy compared with conventional therapy (Chapman-Jones, 2002).

MCT improves the organisation of collagen fibres and biomechanical strength in transected tendons and shows better results when combined with adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) (Bortolazzo, 2020).

Different polarities of MCT (cathodic and anodic) improve the biomechanical properties and histopathological outcomes in injured tendons, although efficacy varies over time (Ahmed, 2012).

Gene expression and molecular effects:

MCT modulates gene expression involved in tendon repair, including TNC, CTGF, FN, FMDO and COL3A1, thereby contributing to improved structural recovery (Bortolazzo, 2020).

Reduction of pain and inflammation:

MCT reduces pain and inflammation in chronic conditions such as tennis elbow and knee osteoarthritis, and demonstrates significant improvements in pain scores and functional outcomes (Poltawski et al., 2012) (Ranker et al., 2020).

MCT, when used as an adjunctive therapy, accelerates the healing of chronic wounds and reduces pain scores, with additional benefits for inflammatory symptoms and patients’ general well-being (Harikrishna K. R. Nair et al., 2018).

Improved regeneration of muscles and soft tissues:

MCT facilitates the regeneration of injured skeletal muscles by increasing the number of muscle satellite cells and improving the cross-sectional area of muscle fibres (Fujiya et al., 2015).

MCT, when combined with traditional treatments, improves outcomes in myofascial pain syndrome by reducing pain scores, increasing muscle strength and improving neck function (Battecha et al., 2021).

Conclusion

Microcurrent therapy shows promising results in improving the healing and functional recovery of tendon, capsular and ligament injuries. It improves collagen organisation, modulates gene expression, reduces pain and inflammation, and facilitates muscle regeneration. These findings suggest that MCT could be a valuable addition to conventional treatments for various musculoskeletal injuries. Further research is required to optimise treatment parameters and fully understand the long-term benefits of MCT.