High and low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation inhibits nociceptive responses induced by CO2 laser stimulation in humans.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) on CO(2) laser evoked potentials (LEPs) in 16 normal subjects. The volar side of the forearm was stimulated by 10 Hz TENS in eight subjects and by 100 Hz TENS in the remainder; the skin of the forearm was stimulated by CO(2) laser and the LEPs were recorded in basal conditions and soon after and 15 min after TENS. Both low and high frequency TENS significantly reduced the subjective rating of heat stimuli and the LEPs amplitude, although high frequency TENS appeared more efficacious. TENS seemed to exert a mild inhibition of the perception and processing of pain induced by laser Adelta fibres activation; the implications of these effects in the clinical employment of TENS remain to be clarified.
de Tommaso
Marina
M
First Neurologic Clinic, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. m.detommaso@neurol.uniba.it
Fiore
Pietro
P
Camporeale
Alfonso
A
Guido
Marco
M
Libro
Giuseppe
G
Losito
Luciana
L
Megna
Marisa
M
Puca
Francomichele
F
Megna
Gianfranco
G
D000328:Adult; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold; D012867:Skin; D012881:Skin Temperature; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods*
D002245:Carbon Dioxide