title: The effect of high- and low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation upon cutaneous blood flow and skin temperature in healthy subjects.
abstract: The reported non-analgesic effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) include alterations to the local circulation; however, research in this area has produced equivocal findings. In the present study, the effect of low- (4 Hz) and high-frequency (110 Hz) TENS on forearm skin blood perfusion was assessed using laser Doppler flowmetry. The effect on skin temperature was also assessed using a skin thermistor. Thirty healthy human volunteers were recruited and randomly assigned to a control or one of the two treatment groups. TENS was applied to the skin overlying the median nerve under double-blind conditions for 15 min. Blood flow and skin temperature readings were recorded pre-TENS, during TENS application and continued for 15 min post-TENS application. Analysis of results showed significant increases in blood perfusion during the treatment period in the low-frequency group when compared to the other two groups (P = 0.0106; ANOVA). No significant changes in skin temperature were observed. The results of this study demonstrate that low-frequency TENS produces a local increase in cutaneous blood flow.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Sciences Research Group, School of Health Sciences, University of Ulster at Jordanstown, County Antrim BT37 0QB, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Cramp
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gilsenan
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology