• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.73-81
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• 1981

Experiments were conducted in ischemic decerebrate cats to study the effects of electroacupuncture and electrical stimulation of peripheral nerve on pain reaction. Flexion reflex was used as an index of pain. The reflex was elicited by stimulating the sural nerve(20 V, 0.5 msec duration) and recorded as a compound action potential from the nerve innervated to the semitendinosus muscle. Electroacupuncture was performed, using a 23-gauge hyperdermic needle, on the tsusanli point in the lateral upper tibia of the ipsilateral hindlimb. The common peroneal nerve was selected as a peripheral nerve which may be associated with electroacupuncture action, as it runs through the tissue portion under the tsusanli point. Both for electroacupuncture and the stimulation of common peroneal nerve a stimulus of 20 V-intensity, 2 msec-duration and 2 Hz-frequency was applied for 60 min. The results are summerized as follows: 1) The electroacupuncture markedly depressed the flexion reflex; this effect was eliminated by systemic application of naloxone $(0.02{\sim}0.12\;mg/kg)$, a specific narcotic antagonist. 2) Similarly, the electrical stimulation of the common peroneal nerve significantly depressed the flexion reflex, the effect being reversed by naloxone. 3) When most of the afferent nerves excluding sural nerve in the ipsilateral hindlimb were cut, the effect of electroacupuncture on the flexion reflex was not observed. Whereas direct stimulation of the common peroneal nerve at the proximal end from the cut resulted in a significant reduction of the flexion reflex, again the effect was reversible by naloxone application. 4) Transection of the spinal cord at the thoracic 12 did not eliminate the effect of peripheral nerve stimulation on the flexion reflex and its reversal by naloxone, although the effect was significantly less than that in the animal with spinal cord intact. These results suggest that: 1) the analgesic effect of an electroacupuncture is directly mediated by the nervous system and involves morphine-like substances in CNS, 2) the site of analgesic action of electroacupuncture resides mainly in the brainstem and in part in the spinal cord.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.37-50
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to compare visual analogue scale (VAS), pain threshold (PT), $%RMS_{RVC}$, and EMG gaps before and after applying transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the upper trapezius muscle at the patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). The subjects were 4 men and 10 women composed of both the inpatients and outpatients who were diagnosed as MPS at Wonju Medical Center. VAS and PT measurements were performed to assess the subjective pain level. The reference voluntary contraction (RVC) test was performed for 15 seconds for normalization on the bilateral trapezius muscle using surface electromyography (sEMG). After 3-minute resting time, the EMG signal was recorded while performing a typing activity for 2 minutes and then TENS was applicated with a comfortable intensity for 10 minutes. The EMG activity of the upper trapezius muscle was recorded during typing for 2 minutes. The results of study were as follows: 1) VAS score was significantly decreased on the more painful side after treatment, however, it was not significantly different on the less painful side. 2) PT was increased after treatment on both sides, however, it was not significantly different between before and after the TENS application. 3) The EMG activity during typing was significantly decreased after treatment, and 4) The EMG gaps were significantly increased after TENS treatment compared to before it. Consequently, the study showed that TENS was effective in decreasing VAS, $%RMS_{RVC}$, and in increasing EMG gaps. The EMG gap analysis could be a useful method to measure pain in patients with MPS in the upper trapezius.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.66-72
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to determine a more effective method for shoulder pain reduction. Forty-five normal subjects were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups a control group, an acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(ALTENS) group, and a silver spike point(SSP) group. Each person in the ALTENS and SSP groups was measured for pressure pain threshold before and after a 20 minute treatment. The control group was also checked for pressure pain threshold before and after a 20 minute period but no "treatment" was given. The major findings were as follows ; 1)The ALTENS and SSP groups showed significant differences before and after treatment but the control group showed no significant difference. 2)When the three groups were compared, the only significant difference was between the SSP group and the control group. As mentioned above, it may be concluded that both ALTENS and SSP therapy were effective in reducing shoulder pain when measured directly after treatment. However, SSP did not show any superior effect. Further study should be done to determine the effective the maintained pain reduction with post-treatment time lapse.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.301-313
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• 1999

구강안면동통 환자의 치료법으로 널리 쓰이는 전기요법은 연조직과 신경계 구조물에 대한 치료 시 중요한 역할을 담당하고 있다. 저자는 현재 구강안면동통의 치료법으로 널리 쓰이고 있는 전기요법들 중 경피성 신경자극(Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation)과 전기침자극요법(Electroacupuncture stimulation therapy)이 각각의 신경섬유에 미치는 효과를 평가하고자 정상 성인 남녀 29명에게 경피성 신경자극 및 전기침자극을 시행하고 시행 전 및 시행 후 삼차신경 영역의 3가지 종류($A{\beta}$, $A{\delta}$, C fiber)의 신경섬유의 전류인지역치(CPT) 변화를 측정하여 그 차이점을 분석하였으며 이를 대조군과 비교하였다. 경피성 신경자극 및 전기침자극 모두에서 대조군에 비해 삼차신경 영역의 모든 신경섬유에 걸쳐 고른 전류인지역치의 증가를 나타내었으며, 경피성 신경자극과 전기침자극 후의 전류인지역치 변화량은 서로 유의할만한 차이를 나타내지 않았다. 이는 경피성 신경자극 과 전기침자극 모두 3가지 종류($A{\beta}$, $A{\delta}$, C fiber)의 감각신경섬유의 전류인지역치에 영향을 미치며, 구강안면동통의 감소에 효과적으로 사용될 수 있으리라 생각된다.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.76-87
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• 2000

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common problem that can interfere with rehabilitation as well as activities of daily living. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of both transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation (MENS) on DOMS, Twenty-seven untrained and male volunteer subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: 1) a group that received TENS (7 Hz), 2) MENS (60 ${\mu}A$, .3 pps) or 3) a control group that received no treatment. Subjects performed repeated eccentric exercise of the non-dominant forearm flexor muscle with submaximal intensity by the simply designed eccentric exercise devices. Treatments were applied after 24 hours and 48 hours. Subjects attended on two consecutive days for treatment and measurement of elbow flexion, extension, resting angle (universal goniometer), and pain (visual analogue scale: VAS) on a daily basis. Measurements were taken after treatment. Analysis of results were as follows; 1) There were no significant differences between TENS and MENS by one-way repeated ANOVA, 2) The t-test for pain, resting, flexion and extension angle revealed significant differences within TENS group, 3) The t-test for resting angle revealed significant differences within MENS group.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.97-106
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) in the patients of dysmenorrhea. A total of thirty subjects were assigned randomly to one of the two experimental groups or to a control group : 1) an Experimental group I received high-frequency TENS(100pps with a 100-microsecond pluse width), 2) an Experimental group II received low-frequency TENS(2pps with a 100-microsecond pulse width), 3) a Control group received medication(Acetaminophen 600mg). All subjects completed visual analogue scale(VAS) pre-treatment; after post-treatment; 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 hours post-treatment; and the next morning. The results of study were as follows; 1. The mean pain scores decreased in thru groups. 2. The experimental group II and the control group exhibited a significant decrease in pain post - treatment. 3. The experimental group I had the pain relief obtained after three hours post - treatment. The experimental group II had the pain relief obtained immediately after the post - treatment Control group had the pain relief obtained immediately after the post - treatment, but increased pain after four hours of post-treatment. Finally. this result suggests that TENS can reduce significantly the pain of dysmenorrhea. Besides. low-frequency TENS provided a good result to the excellent subjective pain relief in the subject, compared with high-frequency TENS and medication.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.85-93
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• 1994

The purposes of this study were 1) to examine the effects of microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation 2) to compare surface electrode with needle electrode at somatic acupuncture points on experimental pain threshold measured at the distal end of the radius 3) to determine the changes in effect over time. A total of sixty healthy adult male and female subjects were assigned randomly to one of two experimental group or to a control group. Group 1(n=20) received MENS(Microcurrent Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation) with surface electrode. Group 2(n=20) received HENS with needle electrode. Group 3(n=20) received no MENS. It measured experimental pain threshold at the wrist on pretreatment, 0 min after treatment. 15 min after treatment, 30 min after treatment in two experimental group. The results were as follows: 1. Experimental pain thresholds were higher in males than females(P<0.01). 2. Only the experimental group exhibited a significant increased in pain threshold after MENS treatment(P<0.05). 3. Surface electrode group increased significant pain threshold 0 min, 15 min after treatment, but greatly decrease 30 min after treatment. 4. Needle electrode group increased significant pain threshold 0 min, 15 min after treatment, but decrease 30 min after treatment. The results suggest that MENS applied to appropriate somatic acupuncture point can increase pain threshold. Further research is needed to assess the effects of greatly variety intensity of MENS of pain sufferes.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.12-17
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• 2016

Background: The study aimed to determine if ultrasonography of masseter can be used to evaluate the outcome of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in subjects with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) such as myositis and myofascial pain. Methods: Fifteen TMD subjects with myofascial pain/myositis who satisfied the RDC/McNeil criteria were included in the study. All the subjects were administered TENS therapy for a period of 6 days (30 minutes per session). The mouth opening (in millimeters) and severity of pain (visual analogue scale score) and ultrasonographic thickness of the masseter (in millimeters) in the region of trigger/tender areas was assessed in all the subjects both prior and post TENS therapy. A comparison of the pre-treatment and post-treatment values of the VAS score, mouth opening and masseter thickness was done with the help of a t-test. Results: There was a significant reduction in the thickness of masseter muscle (P = 0.028) and VAS scores (P < 0.001) post TENS therapy. There was also a significant improvement in the mouth opening (P = 0.011) post TENS therapy. Conclusions: In the present study, ultrasonography was found to be an effective measuring tool in the assessment of TENS therapy in subjects with myositis and myofascial pain.

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.121-133
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• 2008

Objectives : MENS was used for wound healing and pain relief using bioelectric property. There are many articles on in vivo and clinical research. This article reviews articles on MENS published for recent 10 years to consider effectiveness of MENS and other fields to applicate MENS. Articles were collected from MAR, 2008 to JUN, 2008. Methods : We searched Pubmed, KSI, KERIS, KMBASE, and National assembly library using "Microcurrent Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation" and classified the articles into subsets of foreign, Korean and wound healing, pain, relief, and increasing the range of movement(ROM). Also we evaluated their values according to the Jadad scale. Results : A total of 18 articles (Foreign-9, Korean-9) reconfirmed that MENS reduces pain, increases wound healing, ROM, and strength of muscle. In addition, MENS has effect on stress-hormone and various pain like low back pain, acute lateral epicondylitis, and plantar fascitis. And there are various styles developed. However, there is no standard protocol so the user is usually in trouble at clinic. Conclusions : MENS may be have application to various pain diseases, and further studies analysing its effectiveness are needed.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.565-574
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• 2021

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a severe form of pain that affects the daily activities of a patient. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy is an emerging option for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of TENS therapy as an adjunct to drug therapy for the treatment of TN. Methods: A total of 52 patients diagnosed with TN according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (version 3) were included. Each patient was randomized to either the TENS or placebo TENS groups. Intervention was given in continuous mode and 100-Hz frequency for 20 mins biweekly for 6 weeks. Parameters were measured at baseline, TENS completion and 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year of follow up. The parameters observed were mean carbamazepine dose, mean visual analog scale (VAS) score, mean present pain intensity (PPI) score, and functional outcome. Non-parametric analyses, one-way ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test were applied for intragroup comparisons, while the Mann-Whitney U test and independent t-test were used for intergroup comparisons of variables. The chi-square test was applied to analyze categorical data. Results: Compared to the placebo TENS group, the mean dose of carbamazepine in the TENS group was significantly reduced at TENS completion, as well as at 6 months and 1 year follow up. Changes in mean VAS score, mean PPI score, and functional outcome did not show significant differences between the groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: TENS therapy does not lead to any changes in pain levels but it may reduce the mean dose of carbamazepine when used as an adjunct treatment in patients with TN.