• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.36-50
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of high intensity, high frequency microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation(MENS) of auricular and somatic acupuncture points and low intensity, low frequency microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation(MENS) of auricular and somatic acupuncture points on experimental pressure threshold at the elbow according to the time. Fifty healthy adults, aged 19 to 26 years, were assigned randomly to one of five groups: 1) the high intensity, high frequency somatic group(n=10) received MENS to somatic acupuncture points, 2) the high intensity, high frequency auricular group(n=10) received MENS to auricular acupuncture points, 3) the low intensity, low frequency somatic group(n=10) received MENS to somatic acupuncture points, 4) the low intensity, low frequency somatic group(n=10) receive MENS to somatic acupuncture points, and 5) the placebo group(n=10) received placebo treatment and served as controls. Pressure threshold was measured before, after, 5 minutes, 10 minutes and 15 minutes. Pressure threshold has increased significantly(p<.05) in the high intensity, high frequency auricular group following treatment after 5 minutes, with no statistically significant differences in pressure threshold change scores among five groups, Only the high intensity, high frequency auricular group demonstrated statistically significant change score in pressure threshold following treatment after, 5 minutes, 10 minutes and 15 minutes after compared to the placebo group. The results indicated that MENS applied to the high intensity, high frequency auricular group increases pressure threshold.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.7 no.2
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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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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.103-108
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• 2009

Purpose: Electrical stimulation is one of several treatments recommended for RA patients. Electrical stimulation of RA patients, reduces pain, or facilitates joint motion prior to exercises. However, there is still limited evidence on the efficacy of electrical stimulation and thus any conclusions drawn about this method remain controversial. Recently, Microcurrent Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation (MENS) has received significant attention as a potential method of electrical stimulation. In this study, we investigated the effect of microcurrent treatment in rheumatoid arthritis rat. Methods: Subjects were allocated either to the control group or experimental group, which was subject to microcurrent stimulation. Interleukin-1 expression in the metatarsophlangeal joint and the oedema index in the ankle were used for classification and subsequent evaluation of pathology. Subjects were assessed at 1, 7 and 14 days after inducing rheumatoid arthritis through adjuvant injection. Thirty-six subjects, 18 in each group, were used in this study. Statistical analysis was performed by calculating the differences between the two groups and between each interval assessment. Categorical variables were compared between the two groups with the paired-T test. The one-way ANOVA test was performed to assess changes in ordinal variables. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups. The biological marker of pro-inflammatory cytokine and oedema index were decreased in response to this treatment. Conclusion: These data show that treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with a microcurrent stimulation device reduced the oedema index and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 1996

High Voltage Pulsed Current Stimulation(HVPCS) and Microcurrent Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation(MENS) have been used to promote the healing of decubitus ulcer and surgical wounds. The benefits of HVPCS and MENS are thought to include an inhibitive effect on bacterial growth. The purpose of this study was to compare the inhibitive effect of two different electrical stimulation techniques growth in vitro. Using agarose-based media, the two bacterial species Staphylococcus aureus, Esherichia coli - which are commonly isolated from open wounds were incubated in an incubator for 24 hours following exposure to HVPCS(400 V, 120 pps, $70{\mu}s$) and MENS($100{\mu}A$, 0.3 Hz). We then measured the zone of inhibition around each electrode. Both HVPCS and MENS produced an inhibitive effect on bacterial growth in this vitro study. However MENS was more effective than HVPCS.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.4
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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 Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.587-598
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to test the microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation on muscle soreness, serum creatine kinase levels and force deficits evident following a high-intensity eccentric exercise bout. 10 volunteer male subjects were randomly assigned to a treatment group or to a control group. Exercise consisted of high-intensity eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors. Resistance was reduced as subjects fatigued, until they reached exhaustion. Muscle soreness rating was determined using a visual analog scale. Serum creatine kinase levels were analyzed using a blood sample. Force deficits were determined by measures of maximal voluntary isometric contraction at $90^{\circ}$ of elbow flexion on a Orthotron II dynamometer. Muscle soreness rating, serum creatine kinase levels and maximal voluntary isometric contraction were determined at the before exercise and again at 24 and 48 hours postexericse. Treatments were applied immediately following exercise. The control group subjects rested following their exercise bout. Statistical analysis showed significant increases in muscle soreness rating and significant decreases in maximal voluntary isometric contraction when the before exercise was compared with 24 and 48 hour measures(p<0.01). No significant effects were observed between groups in muscle soreness rating and maximal voluntary isometric contraction(p>0.05). Highly significants differences in serum creatine kinase levels were found using on Analysis of variance(ANOVA) repeated measures between groups for each time cycles(p<0.001). This modality may have benefits when used early stage in the muscle damage.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.6 no.1
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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.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.107-116
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• 2013

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the most effective stimulating electrode in Microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation (MENS) for pain relief, and to apply to the treatment of Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Methods We included 45 participants who met the inclusion criteria. DOMS of both Triceps Surae Muscles were experimentally induced through eccentric contractions. 24-hours after induction of DOMS, who scored more than 40 mm in visual analogue scale (VAS) were randomly assigned into three groups (n=44). In 15 of them, needle electrodes were inserted into BL57, BL56. In 15 of them, surface electrodes were applied on the same points and the others were treated with manual acupuncture. The effects of pain relief were assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS), mechanical pain threshold (MPT), surface electromyography (SEMG). Results In VAS, group comparison had no significant difference after all treatments had done. The difference in VAS between the time before the treatment was started (Day 2) and after all treatments were completed was greater in Acupuncture group than that of needle-electrode group. In MPT, there was no significant difference among groups. Electrical contraction decreased significantly at 2nd before-after treatment comparison in needle-electrode MENS group. But fatigue scores were not significantly different between groups. Conclusions The results suggest that the types of electrodes has no significant effect on microcurrent therapy in DOMS.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2009

Purpose : We investigated the effects of microcurrent(MC) electrical stimulation on each intensity($100{\mu}A,\;200{\mu}A,\;500{\mu}A$ - 30pps frequency was same) on delayed onset muscle soreness(DOMS). Methods : Subjects were assigned randomly divided into three groups of eight for three different treatment protocoals($100{\mu}A,\;200{\mu}A,\;500{\mu}A$-experimental groups). Twenty-four healthy males and females subjects were participated in this study. All subjects performed eccentric exercise of elbow flexor(biceps brachii) until exhausted. The measured items of elbow flexor muscle strength were Nicholas Manual Muscle Taster(NMMT). The measured items of elbow joint range of motion ROM) were Goniometer. The measured items of elbow flexor muscle pain were visual analogue scale(VAS). Treatment were applied at 30 minute exercise after and again at 24 hours and at 48 hours and at 72 hours after. Measurements were taken after treatment. Analysis of Results using repeated measures analysis of variance(ANOVA) and post hoc tests were as follows: two-way ANOVA with repeated measurement for muscle strength, flexion ROM, extension ROM and VAS. Results : This results showed eccentric exercise casused DOMS, DOMS response to eccentric exercise were reduces by microcurrent therapy. DOMS was significant decreased at $100{\mu}A,\;200{\mu}A,\;500{\mu}A$. Muscle strength was significant difference at all intensity. Elbow flexion ROM was significant difference at all intensity but elbow extension ROM was insignificant difference at all intensity. VAS score was significant difference at $100{\mu}A$ and $500{\mu}A$ but insignificant difference at $200{\mu}A$. All experimental groups showed insignificant difference with all intensity MENS. Conclusion : These findings indicate that microcurrent therapy is had effect on recovery from exercise induced muscle damage. In our's suggestion, microcurrent therapy is particularly more appropriate therapeutic modality.