Electrical Stimulation Therapy (E-Stim) and Other Modalities: Promoting the Healing of Complex Wounds – 2026

Electrical Stimulation Therapy (E-Stim) and Other Modalities: Promoting the Healing of Complex Wounds

Thursday, October 22, 2026
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Maple Room, Fallsview Hotel and Suites, Niagara Falls, ON

This workshop is part of the Wounds Canada National Fall Conference program, and you must be registered for the conference IN PERSON to attend.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided during the conference. For any additional dietary requirements or preferences, an accessible on-site food court is available.

E-Stim is an evidence-informed, publicly-funded, advanced wound care practice that involves applying low levels of specialized electrical current directly to the wound area to accelerate wound healing processes. This interprofessional, hands-on clinical skills workshop is designed for Nurses, Physicians, Chiropodists, and Physical Therapists with experience in wound care, who are interested in gaining the knowledge, skills, and judgements needed to use of E-Stim on hard to heal wounds. This hands-on, interactive, clinical workshop will focus on application techniques and the proper use of equipment and supplies needed to deliver E-Stim directly to the wound area. It will give participants an opportunity to apply background knowledge and clinical research evidence so they appreciate when, why and how to use E-Stim to promote wound closure. Case studies and other exercises will promote advanced clinical decision making skills needed to identify individuals who are most likely to benefit from E-Stim, and to design a customized E-Stim program that is safe, effective, and feasible. Demonstrations of other physical modalities (ultrasound, ultraviolet light, and LASER) will also be provided

Pre-requisite
This course is designed at an advanced level for clinicians who have experience treating patients with open wounds. Registrants of this clinical skills workshop will be contacted by the lead facilitator Pamela Houghton to receive details about access to a secure online website so they can complete online modules, view application videos, and read relevant resources in advance of the workshop.

These online modules provide essential background information that explains: 1) What E-Stim is, 2) How E-Stim works to stimulate healing processes, and 3) Highlights clinical research evidence used to guide E-Stim treatments of common wound etiologies including pressure injuries, venous/arterial leg ulcers, and diabetic foot wounds. You are strongly encouraged to complete these 6 modules (2.5 hours of pre-recorded presentations) before attending the skills lab so that background knowledge about E-Stim can be applied to the clinical skills and judgements reviewed and discussed in the workshop.

For more information, visit: https://estim4wounds.ca/educational-courses-registration/ and contact Pamela Houghton at phoughto@uwo.ca.

No additional fee is required.
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The maximum capacity of the workshop is 40.

Learning Objectives

1. Apply background knowledge about the mechanisms of action and clinical research evidence for different E-Stim treatment parameters and protocols.
2. Practice applying E-Stim to wound models using different electrodes (types and placement) and associated electrical stimulus parameters.
3. Experience various equipment and supplies that are available in Canada to deliver E-Stim and other physical modalities (ultrasound (US), ultraviolet light (UVC), and LASER) directly to the wound.
4.Select appropriate clients for E-Stim treatment based on the knowledge and understanding of clinical indications and relevant contraindications and precautions.
5.Design a customized E-Stim treatment plan that will be safe and effective and can be easily incorporated into an individual’s current wound care program.
6.Apply a recommended treatment approach recommended by a national consensus panel for physical modalities (E-Stim, UVC, US, LASER) which includes knowing what to expect, what early signs and symptoms to watch for, and how to modify treatments based on a person’s response.