Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research (대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지)

The Korean Society of Medical and Biological Engineering (대한의용생체공학회)
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Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation Therapy in Severe Ocular Surface Disease

중증 안구표면질환에서 경피 전기 자극 치료의 효과

  • Dae Seop Kim (Department of Medical Device Management and Research, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University) ;
  • Tae-Young Chung (Heaan Seoul Eye Center) ;
  • Yeo Kyoung Won (Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Dong Hui Lim (Department of Medical Device Management and Research, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University)
  • 김대섭 (성균관대학교 삼성융합의과학원 의료기기산업학과) ;
  • 정태영 (혜안서울안과 의원) ;
  • 원여경 (성균관대학교 의과대학 삼성서울병원 안과) ;
  • 임동희 (성균관대학교 삼성융합의과학원 의료기기산업학과)
  • Received : 2024.10.18
  • Accepted : 2024.12.06
  • Published : 2024.12.31
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Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) in patients with severe ocular surface disease. TES has been recognized as a potential treatment for enhancing corneal epithelial healing and stabilizing the tear film, offering a solution to the limitations of conventional therapies that provide only temporary symptom relief. A single-blind, sham-controlled, prospective clinical trial was conducted with seven patients suffering from persistent corneal epithelial defects. The participants were divided into a TES group receiving TES therapy and a control group receiving sham stimulation. The primary outcome was the change in the corneal epithelial defect area, and the secondary outcomes included the change in the corneal sensitivity, tear secretion, and tear film breakup time (TBUT). Each patient used the device daily for 30 minutes over a 4-week period. After four weeks, the TES group showed a significant reduction in the corneal epithelial defect area, decreasing to 10% of the initial value, while the control group exhibited a 132% increase (p = 0.034). However, no statistically significant changes were observed in corneal sensitivity, tear secretion, and TBUT, suggesting limited effects on tear secretion and tear film stability in severe ocular surface disease. TES can effectively promote corneal epithelial healing in patients with severe ocular surface disease.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본연구는교육부에서지원하는한국연구재단(NRF-2021R1C1C1007795) 및 보건복지부에서 지원하는 한국보건산업진흥원 (HI22C106900)의 지원을 받아 수행하였음.

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