A groundbreaking study published in Rheumatology demonstrates that a single 40-minute session of Frequency Specific Microcurrent therapy produced a statistically significant 40% improvement in hand function for scleroderma patients who had previously found daily tasks nearly impossible.
Treatment Comparison Notes:
- FSM (This Study): 40% improvement in 40 minutes, sustained for months
- Hand Exercises: Modest improvements over weeks to months of daily practice
- Occupational Therapy: Functional adaptation strategies, limited tissue change
- Topical Treatments: Minimal evidence for hand function improvement
- Systemic Immunosuppression: May slow progression but limited reversal of existing damage
- Surgical Options: Reserved for severe cases, significant recovery time
*Improvement percentages are approximate based on available literature. FSM data from Gregory et al., Rheumatology 2025.
FSM Scleroderma Study: Key Findings Summary
Study Overview
• 17 scleroderma patients treated across two pilot studies • Published in Rheumatology – prestigious Oxford University Press journal • Multi-institutional collaboration: University of Sheffield, University of Leeds, Chapel Allerton Osteopath, Portland Fibromyalgia Clinic • Treatment duration: 40-60 minutes (single session in Study 2)
Primary Results
• 40% average improvement in hand function scores (combined studies, p = .0001) • 38% improvement in second study alone (p = .002)
• 10 of 11 patients improved in the refined protocol (Study 2) • 18-point improvement in Raynaud’s symptoms on 100-point scale (p = .016)
Clinical Significance
• More than double the MCID: Average 8-point improvement vs. 3.38-point threshold for clinical significance • Dramatic functional changes: Patients went from “nearly impossible” to “without difficulty” on specific tasks • Real-world impact: Musician could play double bass again, seamstress regained sewing ability • Immediate results: Improvements occurred during the 40-minute treatment session
Treatment Protocol
• Microcurrent device: CE-marked, two-channel, 100-200 microamperes • Key frequencies: 13 Hz (scarring), 3 Hz (sclerosis), 49 Hz (vitality) • Tissue targets: Skin (355 Hz), connective tissue (77 Hz), capillaries (162 Hz) • Raynaud’s protocol: 40 Hz & 562 Hz applied simultaneously • Application method: Wet contacts conducting current through affected areas
Scientific Methodology
• Validated measures: Cochin Hand Function Scale (CHFS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) • Statistical analysis: Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank sum test • Tissue evaluation: Real-time tissue softening used to assess frequency effectiveness • Frequency selection: Based on 1922 medical device list, clinically used since 1995
Safety Profile
• Non-invasive treatment with subsensory current levels • No adverse effects reported in either study • Repeatable safely without side effects • Treatment duration: Single 40-minute session effective
Patient Response Patterns
• Best responders: Patients with mild to moderate hand function impairment • Limited response: Patients with very high initial Cochin scores (severe disease) • Sustained benefits: Improvements lasted up to 3 months in available follow-up • Rapid onset: Changes observed during treatment session
Mechanism of Action
• Targets core pathology: Scarring in skin, connective tissue, and capillaries • Increases ATP production: Physiologic subsensory current effects • Frequency-specific effects: Different frequencies target different tissue types • Real-time tissue changes: Observable tissue softening during treatment
Clinical Context
• Unmet medical need: >50% of scleroderma patients disabled by hand function • Limited treatment options: Currently no effective interventions for scleroderma hand disability • First documented success: Rapid, significant hand function improvement in scleroderma • Evidence-based approach: Peer-reviewed research with statistical significance
Study Limitations
• Pilot study design: No control group or blinding • Small sample size: 17 patients total across both studies • Short follow-up: Limited long-term outcome data • Subjective measures: Patient-reported outcomes, not objective testing
Future Research Needs
• Randomized controlled trials with sham treatment groups • Objective measures: Grip strength, capillaroscopy, thermography • Longer follow-up studies to assess duration of benefits • Larger patient populations to confirm reproducibility • Optimal treatment protocols: Frequency of sessions, maintenance schedules
Clinical Implications
• New treatment option for scleroderma hand disability • Rapid results possible in previously intractable condition • Safe, repeatable intervention for chronic condition management • Potential paradigm shift in understanding frequency-based tissue treatment • Training opportunities for healthcare practitioners
Research Impact
• First peer-reviewed FSM study for scleroderma published in major journal • Validates frequency-specific approach to tissue pathology • Opens new research directions for fibrotic conditions • Establishes treatment protocols for clinical replication
Scleroderma Study – FSM FAQs
About the Study
Q: What exactly did this study show?
A: The study demonstrated that Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) produced a 40% improvement in hand function scores for scleroderma patients in just 40-60 minutes of treatment, with statistically significant results (p = .0001).
Q: How many patients were involved?
A: 17 scleroderma patients participated across two pilot studies – 6 patients in the first study and 11 in the second study.
Q: Where was this research published?
A: The study was published in Rheumatology, a prestigious peer-reviewed medical journal published by Oxford University Press.
Q: Who conducted the research? A: Researchers from the University of Sheffield, University of Leeds, Chapel Allerton Osteopath, and the Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Clinic of Portland collaborated on this study.
Treatment Details
Q: What frequencies were used in the treatment?
A: The study used specific frequencies including 13 Hz for scarring, 3 Hz for sclerosis, 49 Hz for vitality, combined with tissue-specific frequencies: 355 Hz for skin, 77 Hz for connective tissue, and 162 Hz for capillaries.
Q: How long did the treatment take?
A: Treatment lasted 40-60 minutes. The first study involved treatment over two consecutive days, while the second study achieved results in a single 40-minute session.
Q: What equipment was used?
A: A CE-marked two-channel microcurrent device manufactured by Microcurrent Technologies (Seattle, Washington) delivering 100-200 microamperes current through wet contacts.
Q: Were there any side effects?
A: No adverse effects were reported in either study. The treatment is non-invasive and can be repeated safely.
Results and Measurements
Q: How was improvement measured?
A: The study used the validated Cochin Hand Function Scale (CHFS) questionnaire and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for Raynaud’s symptoms, both before and after treatment.
Q: What specific improvements did patients experience?
A: Patients reported dramatic improvements in fine motor tasks. Some went from finding it “nearly impossible” to pick up coins to being able to do so “without difficulty.” A musician regained the ability to play double bass, and a seamstress could sew again.
Q: How long did the improvements last?
A: Follow-up data showed improvements persisted for up to 3 months in patients where longer-term data was available.
Q: Did all patients improve?
A: 10 of 11 patients in the second study showed improvement. Patients with very severe disease (very high initial Cochin scores) showed less response.
Clinical Significance
Q: How does this compare to existing scleroderma treatments?
A: This represents the first documented treatment specifically targeting hand function disability in scleroderma with such rapid and significant results. Current treatment options for scleroderma hand function are extremely limited.
Q: What is the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID)?
A: The MCID for the Cochin scale in scleroderma is -3.38 points. This study showed an average improvement of 8 points, more than double the threshold for clinical significance.
Q: Why is this research important?
A: More than half of scleroderma patients are disabled by poor hand function, and there are currently no effective treatments specifically targeting this problem.
Treatment Mechanism
Q: How does FSM work for scleroderma?
A: FSM uses subsensory electrical currents that increase cellular ATP production and target specific tissue types through precise frequency combinations. For scleroderma, it addresses scarring in skin, connective tissue, and capillaries.
Q: Where do these frequencies come from?
A: The frequencies are based on a list found on a medical device from 1922, which included specific frequencies for changing “scar tissue.” These have been used clinically since 1995.
Q: Why did the treatment work so quickly?
A: The researchers observed that tissue softening occurred in real-time during treatment, suggesting the frequencies directly affect the pathological scarring that characterizes scleroderma.
Future Research
Q: What are the study limitations?
A: This was a pilot study without a control group or blinding. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Q: What’s planned for future research?
A: The researchers recommend controlled trials with sham treatment, objective measures like grip strength testing, capillaroscopy, and thermography, plus longer-term follow-up studies.
Q: Can these results be replicated?
A: The study provides detailed protocols and frequency combinations. The treatment appears to be reproducible when proper equipment and frequencies are used.
Clinical Implementation
Q: Who can perform this treatment?
A: The treatment was performed by trained healthcare practitioners. Proper training in FSM protocols and safety procedures would be required.
Q: Is special equipment needed?
A: Yes, a specific microcurrent device capable of delivering the precise frequencies and current levels (100-200 microamperes) used in the study.
Q: Could this help other conditions?
A: While this study focused on scleroderma, the underlying mechanism of targeting tissue scarring could potentially apply to other fibrotic conditions, though specific research would be needed.