Effect of low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation of TE5 (waiguan) and PC6 (neiguan) acupoints on cold-induced pain

Abstract

[Purpose] This study assesse the effect of low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) of theTE5 (waiguan) and PC6 (neiguan) acupoints on cold-induced pain. [Subjects and Methods] Forty-eight subjects were divided by convenience into three groups: TENS with electrodes of 1 cm2 area, TENS with electrodes of area 15 cm2 and a placebo group. The study consisted of three phases: cold-induced pain without electroanalgesia, cold-induced pain with electroanalgesia or placebo, and cold-induced pain post-electroanalgesia or placebo. [Results] Acupuncture like TENS increased the pain threshold latency during treatment (45.7 ± 11.7s) compared to pre-treatment (30.9 ± 8.9s) in the TENS group with 1 cm2 electrodes. In the TENS group with 15 cm2 electrodes, the pain threshold latency increased at post-treatment (36.2 ± 12.9s) compared to pre-treatment (25.5 ± 7.4s). The placebo group showed no significant changes. The group with 1 cm2 electrodes showed a significantly higher pain threshold latency (45.7 ± 11.7s) than the other two groups. At post-treatment, the pain threshold latencies of both the 1 cm2 (39.4 ± 11.5s) and 15 cm2 (36.2 ± 12.9s) TENS group were higher than that of the placebo group (22.4 ± 7.4s). [Conclusion] Acupuncture like TENS applied to PC6 and TE5 acupoints increased the pain threshold latency. The pain intensity was reduced by TENS with an electrode area of 1 cm2.

Efeitos da Estimulação Elétrica Nervosa Transcutânea e da Corrente de Alta Voltagem em Indivíduos Saudáveis

“…Uma das limitações do estudo foi a ausência do grupo controle, mas estudo prévio havia apontado que a TENS convencional não produziria alterações em tal variável , assim, este seria um placebo interessante para se comparar com o grupo de alta voltagem. Contudo, Montenegro et al (2016) relatam o uso da TENS e da eletroacupuntura e que ambas alteraram o limiar de dor e a TENS reduziu a intensidade de dor ao frio. Mas, Silva et al (2015), utilizando outro tipo de eletroestimulação, com corrente interferencial, não observaram alterações no limiar de dor ao frio, nem pela algometria de pressão.…”

The Effect of Transcutaneous Electrotherapy on Lumbar Range of Motion and Paraspinal Muscle Characteristics in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The relative benefit of TENS compared to placebo TENS for improving trunk endurance appears negligible. With respect to the three mixed TENS interventions [28,33]-which were all LF TENS (≤10 Hz) [36] either proceeding or following exercise-the meta-analyses revealed no significant difference from active controls. There is no obvious mechanism by which TENS directly improves muscle function; although a by-product of LF TENS is the generation of a slight muscle twitch, this treatment aims to stimulate small-diameter afferent nerve fibers [15] and does not induce tetany [15].…”

Analgesia for Sheep in Commercial Production: Where to Next?

“…Using human subjects ( n = 16 per treatment group), Montenegro et al [ 492 ] used TENS-based stimulation of known acupoints (hence effectively using EAP) to measure effects on pain thresholds following hand immersion in an ice-water bath. A placebo (control) treatment was used, in which the electrode was applied, and the subjects told that they would be receiving an electrical current.…”