We are pleased to share the publication of a new peer-reviewed paper demonstrating that electrical stimulation therapy (EST) is a cost-effective addition to standard wound care, delivering improved healing outcomes while reducing overall healthcare resource use.
The study, “Cost-Effectiveness of Electrical Stimulation Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Wounds: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Economic Analysis”, has now been published and indexed on PubMed.
Key findings at a glance
Based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 randomised controlled trials involving 783 patients, the authors report that EST used alongside standard of care:
- More than doubles the likelihood of wound healing compared with standard care alone
- Reduces time to healing by an average of 2.7 weeks
- Delivers meaningful cost savings in community care
Using a UK-based cost-effectiveness model reflecting 2024 costs, the analysis estimated that in a hypothetical cohort of 100 patients treated over 12 weeks, EST plus standard of care could:
- Save over £38,000 in total healthcare costs
- Reduce nursing visits by 385 visits
- Deliver 154 additional ulcer-free weeks
Why this matters
Hard-to-heal wounds continue to place a significant clinical, operational and financial burden on healthcare systems. This analysis provides important economic validation to support what clinicians increasingly see in practice: improving healing outcomes and reducing care intensity can go hand-in-hand.
The findings reinforce the role of electrical stimulation therapy as a clinically effective and economically viable adjunct to standard wound care, particularly in community settings.
📄 Read the full paper:
Smith JM, Posnett J, Woodmansey EJ. JMAHP, 2024. PMID: 41450904