Sex and age differences in sensory threshold for transcutaneous electrical stimulation

Abstract

Introduction Pain is one of the main symptoms prevalent in most pathologies. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) represents not only a therapeutic measure, but also a mean to quantify the neurosensory and pain perception in patients with chronic pain. Objective To evaluate the relationship between sex and age with neurosensory thresholds (sensory threshold and tolerance threshold) in the application of therapeutic current in patients with chronic pain. Methods Forty-five patients with chronic pain (30 women and 15 men) aged between 24 and 87 years were selected. Each patient answered the Individual Questionnaire, McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Subsequently, the electric current was applied, through which the sensory and pain thresholds were analyzed, as well as the perception of activation of the neurosensory pathways for each individual. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 24.0 for Windows. Results There was no significant correlation (p > 0.05) between a possible depressive diagnosis and the perception of current by the sensory and pain thresholds. Regarding sex, there was a significant difference in sensory thresholds (p = 0.003) between men and women, while no statistical differences were observed between sexes for pain complaint and pain threshold (p > 0.05). For the correlational analysis, a significant correlation (p = 0.05) was identified between the variables BMI and pain tolerance threshold (r = 0.68) for females and age and sensory threshold (r = 0.65) for males. Conclusion The sex and age variables are important in the measurement of TENS parameters because they lead to significant differences in sensory and pain thresholds.

The Effects of Sex, Women’s Body Composition and Monthly Cycle Phases on the Sensory Threshold of Upper Limb to Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Healthy Subjects

“…The mean differences between male and female subjects were 0.18, 0.22, 0.44, 0.88, and 0.61 mA at five different measurement points [8]. A study by Saraiva et al [23] also found a lower sensory threshold in women compared to men-13.77 vs. 19.57 mA. The authors pointed out the anatomical and physiological discrepancies that can generate differences in sensory response, including size of the neuromotor course and amounts of neurotransmitters [23].…”

“…A study by Saraiva et al [23] also found a lower sensory threshold in women compared to men-13.77 vs. 19.57 mA. The authors pointed out the anatomical and physiological discrepancies that can generate differences in sensory response, including size of the neuromotor course and amounts of neurotransmitters [23]. A study by Guirro et al [24] showed that even using two different current frequencies, i.e., 5 and 50 Hz, the threshold of sensory perception in women was lower than that in young and elderly men.…”