Decreasing pain in electrical nerve stimulation.
OBJECTIVE
Do large stimulation electrodes reduce pain in nerve conduction testing?


METHODS
Fourteen healthy subjects (6 men, 22-42 years) blinded for study design underwent 8 H-reflex studies, using a large (36 x 36 mm) or a small (6 x 6 mm) electrode, placed on either the patella or the popliteal fossa; either site could be used for the cathode or the anode. Stimulation intensity was adjusted to obtain M- and H-waves. Intensity and other characteristics of pain were noted, as were M- and H-wave parameters.


RESULTS
Pain was felt strongest near the smaller electrode when two sizes were used. Large electrodes reduced pain without compromising H- or M-waves.


CONCLUSIONS
Large stimulation electrodes reduce pain.


CONCLUSIONS
The results apply for tests relying on amplitude measurements.
Verhoeven
Kristof
K
Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Room K5Q 108, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
van Dijk
J Gert
JG
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004566:Electrodes; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006181:H-Reflex / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009431:Neural Conduction; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D017288:Pain Threshold; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome