Microcurrent dressings for hard-to-heal pressure injuries: A case series with quantitative assessment of wound healing.

INTRODUCTION

Hard-to-heal pressure injuries (PIs) remain challenging because of persistent inflammation, impaired microcirculation, and limited tissue regeneration. Microcurrent dressings represent a promising adjunctive approach by providing a sustained biomimetic electrical microenvironment that may support the wound repair process without requiring an external power source.

CASE SERIES: We evaluated 10 patients with hard-to-heal PIs treated with microcurrent dressings over 21 days. Wound area was quantified using ImageJ-based planar measurements, and wound status was assessed using the Pressure Sore Status Tool (PSST) at baseline and on Days 3, 7, 14, and 21. Mean wound area progressively decreased from 4.477 cm2 at baseline to 1.464 cm2 on Day 21, corresponding to a 67.3% reduction. A Friedman test for repeated measures showed a significant change in wound area over time (P < 0.0001). Mean PSST scores decreased from 32.1 to 19.0, representing a 40.8% reduction, with a significant effect of time (P < 0.0001).

DISCUSSION: This case series demonstrates progressive reductions in wound area and PSST scores during microcurrent dressing therapy when applied as an adjunct to standard wound care. These findings suggest that microcurrent dressings may represent a convenient adjunctive option for hard-to-heal PIs. Larger controlled studies are needed to confirm their clinical effectiveness and long-term benefits.