Study reports significant reduction in postsurgical scar depth following DC microcurrent stimulation

A recent pilot study reveals that a single session of direct-current (DC) microcurrent stimulation led to a measurable decrease in the depth of surgically-induced scars, according to findings published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. This nonrandomized cohort study examined 17 patients, with each participant receiving a single treatment using two Dolphin Neurostim devices.

The intervention involved applying DC microcurrent bilaterally along the scar for 30 seconds per point, spaced approximately one inch apart, with the procedure lasting around 15-20 minutes. Researchers measured scar depth using a high-resolution 17 MHz ultrasound probe, both before and after the treatment. The results showed an average reduction of 0.447 mm (23.8%) in scar depth, which was statistically significant (p < 0.001).

The study marks the first reported instance of DC microcurrent therapy resulting in a decrease in scar size, as measured objectively through ultrasound imaging. While participants also self-reported improvements in pain and range of motion, these outcomes were not formally evaluated. The authors suggest that changes in scar morphology may influence tissue mobility, fascial glide, and rehabilitation, but these clinical implications require further exploration in controlled trials.

The researchers acknowledge the study's limitations, including its small sample size, lack of control or placebo group, and the fact that assessments were conducted immediately after a single treatment. They emphasize that the findings indicate the potential of high-resolution ultrasound as an objective method for studying structural changes in scar tissue following noninvasive interventions, warranting further investigation in larger, controlled studies with longer follow-up periods.