Effects of thermal agents on electrical sensory threshold and current tolerance when applied prior to neuromuscular electrical stimulation.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the effects of thermal agents on electrical sensory threshold and current tolerance when applied prior to neuromuscular electrical stimulation.


METHODS
In this single-blind and cross-over trial, electrical sensory threshold and current tolerance of 24 healthy volunteers were evaluated by using biphasic symmetrical pulses (240 μsec, 50 pps), before and after thermal agent (cold pack, hot pack and ultrasound) applications.


RESULTS
Electrical sensory threshold increased after cold-pack, and current tolerance reduced after hot-pack applications (p< 0.05). Inter-agent comparisons of pre and post-application differences of the investigated parameters revealed that the most obvious effects were caused by application of hot pack.


CONCLUSIONS
Hot pack application prior to neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) may reduce current tolerance and limit to reach the desired current intensity for strengthening the electrically induced contractions. Results are considered to be valuable for physiotherapists, who apply thermal agents and NMES consecutively, in their treatment programs.
Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Muğla School of Health, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Muğla, Turkey.
İlkim
İ
Çıtak Karakaya
Private İlk Evre Special Education and Rehabilitation Center, İstanbul, Turkey.
Ömer Faruk
ÖF
Güney
Akhisar Care and Rehabilitation Center, Manisa, Turkey.
Yasemin
Y
Aydın
Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Muğla School of Health, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Muğla, Turkey.
Mehmet Gürhan
MG
Karakaya
D059787:Acute Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D017288:Pain Threshold; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
Physiotherapy; electrotherapy; neuromuscular electrical stimulation; superficial thermal agents; therapeutic ultrasound