A data driven review of in vitro electrical and mechanical stimulation for post-acute phase wound healing

Journal article : Review

This review explores the role of in vitro electrical and mechanical stimulation in modulating wound-healing behavior, with a primary focus on the predominant skin cell types: fibroblasts and keratinocytes. By analyzing the existing literature, we delineate the complex relationships between stimulation parameters-such as voltage, current, frequency, and mechanical strain-and cellular responses, including proliferation and migration. Our data-driven approach compiled more than 390 experimental data points for electrical stimulation and over 170 for mechanical stimulation in vitro, constructing a comprehensive library of cell responses that were previously fragmented and difficult to compare across studies. We critically evaluate various stimulation platforms and configurations, emphasizing their influence on cellular mechanobiology and their translational potential in regenerative medicine. Ultimately, this review underscores the necessity of a multi-parameter optimization strategy to effectively exploit electromechanical cues for targeted skin tissue regeneration.

Authors: Burgess, MK; Marsh, EF; Lucian, VM; Nair, M

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Wiley
• Journal: Advanced Healthcare Materials
• Article number: e71138
• Place of publication: Germany
• Publication date: 2026-05-02
• Acceptance date: 2026-03-31
• DOI: 10.1002/adhm.71138
• EISSN: 2192-2659
• ISSN: 2192-2640
• Pmid: 42068189
• Language: English
• Keywords: keratinocytes; wound healing; fibroblasts; mechanical stimulation; electrical stimulation
• Subtype: Review