title: The effect of the impedance of a thin hydrogel electrode on sensation during functional electrical stimulation.
abstract: Surface functional electrical stimulation results in stimulation of cutaneous receptors and discomfort. The degree of non-uniformity of current distribution in the cutaneous layers in the vicinity of the electrode may influence the sensation experienced. This paper describes the effects on sensation of a thin, high impedance electrode designed to reduce the non-uniformity of current distribution. Sensation associated with stimulation via a self-adhesive electrode with much higher impedance than conventional electrodes was compared with a low impedance electrode in a single-blinded, crossover study. The high impedance electrode does not alter either the current at which sensation is first registered. However, at higher currents, the high impedance electrode allows 9% more current to be passed for an equivalent sensation to that experienced with the conventional electrode. A 28% decrease in discomfort with the use of the high impedance electrode was also reported.
authors.affiliation: CRHPR, University of Salford, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sha
authors.forename: L P J
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Kenney
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004566:Electrodes; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012677:Sensation; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels