Final answer:
Electrotherapy or electrical stimulation is the application of special currents that have a variety of effects on the skin, such as improving wound healing and reducing pain, especially beneficial to microshock-sensitive patients.
Step-by-step explanation:
The application of special currents (or modalities) that have a variety of effects on the skin is called electrotherapy or electrical stimulation. This medical treatment involves the use of electrical energy to speed up wound healing, reduce pain, and improve tissue repair. It is especially significant for microshock-sensitive patients, such as those in surgery and intensive care, who have a compromised skin barrier that can lead to increased sensitivity to electrical currents. Electrical stimulation promotes healing by improving blood flow and cellular activity at the wound site. Various sensory modalities like pain, temperature, and touch can be influenced by electrical stimulation, which has been shown to help in healing post-surgical wounds more quickly. Operative procedures often lead to reduced microbial loads on skin or tissues through the combined use of mild chemicals and mechanical actions, hence preparing the skin for optimal healing conditions, to which electrical stimulation can then contribute.