title: Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation induced parotid stimulation on salivary flow.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main objective of this study was to evaluate the duration of stimulation over the parotid salivary flow following the use of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) in different age groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out in three different age groups. Under group A individuals from 21 to 35 years of age, group B 36-50 years and group C above 51 years were considered. In each group 30 subjects were taken of whom 15 were males and 15 were females. The placement of pads was approximated bilaterally over the parotid glands. The working parameters of TENS unit were fixed at 50 Hz and the unit was in normal mode.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects belonging to group B were showing statistically significant increases in the duration of stimulated parotid salivary flow following the use of TENS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TENS can be considered as a non-pharmacological alternative to improve salivation for longer period in xerostomia patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, St. Joseph Dental College and Hospital, Duggirala, Eluru, India.
authors.forename: Sreenivasulu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pattipati
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Chinthareddypalem, Nellore, India.
authors.forename: Rajendra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Chinthareddypalem, Nellore, India.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kannan
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, St. Joseph Dental College and Hospital, Duggirala, Eluru, India.
authors.forename: B Praveen
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Meghana Institute of Dental Sciences, Mallaram, Nizamabad, India.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shirisharani
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, GITHAM Dental College and Hospital, Gandhinagar Campus, Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Rezwana Begum
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Mohammed
keywords: Chroni cpain; electrostimulation; saliva; transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation