title: Low-frequency transcutaneous nerve stimulation in mild/moderate hypertension.
abstract: Low-frequency peripheral nerve stimulation may induce widespread cutaneous and muscular vasodilatation in animals and humans due to sympatho-inhibition. This response has in humans been shown to be associated with a lowering of the systemic vascular resistance and arterial pressure. In the present study the effectiveness of low-frequency (2 Hz) transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TNS) has been examined in 46 patients, all 41-43 years of age, with a primary diagnosis of uncomplicated mild/moderate hypertension (90-115 mmHg diastolic pressure). The study was designed blind with matched controls in a TNS group and a placebo group. The blood pressure was measured objectively with an automatic monitor. In a short-term experiment TNS produced a significant lowering of systolic, mean arterial, and diastolic pressures amounting to 8 mmHg (P less than 0.01), 6 mmHg (P less than 0.01), and 4 mmHg (P less than 0.02), respectively. In a long-term study, after 2 weeks of daily stimulation, a similar depression was recorded with no stimulation on the day of examination. An eventual clinical use of the depressor effect of TNS demands further clinical research.
authors.affiliation: Rogaland Central Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kaada
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Flatheim
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Woie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D013997:Time Factors; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation