Therapeutic effect of microcurrent on calf muscle atrophy in immobilized rabbit

ABSTRACT Introduction: Immobilization causes significant muscle loss. In this study we assessed the regenerative effect of microcurrent electrical stimulation (MES) on gastrocnemius muscle (GCM) atrophy induced by immobilization by cast (IC) in rabbits. Methods: Fifteen rabbits were divided into 3 groups: IC (group 1); IC and free re‐ambulation for 2 weeks after cast removal (CR) (group 2); and IC and MES for 2 weeks after CR (group 3). We evaluated clinical parameters (calf circumference, compound muscle action potential of tibial nerve, and thickness of GCM by ultrasound), histomorphometric data (muscle composition and cross‐sectional area), and immunohistochemistry. Results: Mean atrophic changes in clinical parameters in group 3 were significantly less than those in groups 1 and 2 (P