• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influnce of afferent stimuli, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and ultra sound, on the electrdiagnostic study of normal subjects. Electrodiagnostic study was performed before and after the application of afferent stimulation of the right popliteal fossa on 18 healthy female volunteers. After the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, there is no significantly change of latencies and amplitudes of SEP, H-reflex, peroneal nerve F-wave, and sensory nerve conduction. After the ultra sound, there is no significantly change of latencies and amplitudes of SEP, H-reflex, peroneal nerve F-wave, and sensory nerve conduction. Tibial nope F-wave and motor nerve shows prolonged latency after TENS and US (p<0.01). Ultrasound may have a similar mechanism of action compared to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation by having localized inhibitory effects of the peripheral nerve. However, further investigation is needed to assess their mechanism of action and the precise relevance of stimulation modality.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.12-26
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) for tinnitus to identify the trend, effectiveness and mechanism. Methods : Research studies related to objectives were gathered through Pubmed, RISS, KISS, KCI, OASIS with keywords such as 'Tinnitus', 'Autonomic', 'ANS', 'HRV', 'acupuncture', 'transcutaneous' and analyzed. Results : 4 studies were included. Acupuncture was used in 1 study and TENS was used in 3 studies. Tinnitus handicap inventory(THI), fMRI and 'heart rate and blood pressure' were used in 1 study each and heart rate variability(HRV) was used in 3 studies as evaluation tools. Each treatment showed a significant effect. Conclusions : Our findings indicate that acupuncture and TENS could be a potential therapy for tinnitus, however additional well designed RCT are required to establish high level of evidence.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1746-1749
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• 2019

Background: Surgery has been known as an inefficient approach to reduce back pain in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis; therefore, non-surgical treatments are necessary. However, there has been little research to analyze the effect of non-surgical treatments on lumbar spinal stenosis pain. Objective: To identify the effectiveness of 2 physiotherapeutic treatment approaches to relieve pain due to lumbar spinal stenosis. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: The participants were 36 lumbar spinal stenosis patients who were randomized in the joint mobilization group (JMG) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group (TENSG). Joint mobilization (JM) was conducted at the posteroanterior joint in the spinous process of the lumbar spine with stenosis. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was applied on the lumbar spine with stenosis at a high frequency and intensity. Results: Visual analog scale (VAS) pain score significantly decreased in both groups, and the VAS value decreased more after JMG than that after TENSG. The pain thresholds of both groups also significantly increased, and that of JMG increased more compared to TENSG. In both the groups, significant improvements in VAS and pain thresholds were found, and JMG showed better results than TENSG. Conclusions: JM and TENS showed significant relief in both pain threshold and painpain, and JM showed more advanced relief compared to TENS.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.79-89
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• 2013

PURPOSE: To identify the effects of single trial transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) application on chronic neuropathic pain and the repeated TENS application to development of neuropathic pain following peripheral nerve injury. METHODS: First, 20 rats were given the median nerve ligation to induce chronic neuropathic pain. After the ligation, neuropathic pain was assessed by measuring the forepaws withdrawal threshold to von Frey filaments for 3 weeks. Afterward, rats were randomly divided into TENS group and placebo-TENS group. TENS (frequency 100Hz, pulse width $200{\mu}s$) was applied to the forearm for 20 minutes. Second, 34 rats were randomly allocated into two group after median nerve ligation: TENS group and placebo-TENS group. Both interventions were applied to the forearm for 20 minutes from 1 day to 3 weeks after injury. Neuropathic pain to mechanical was measured on each rat for 3 weeks. RESULTS: Exeprimental rats showed a clear neuropathic pain-like behaviors, such as reduced forepaw withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation for 3 weeks, after median nerve ligation. And, TENS decreased effectively the chronic neuropathic pain originated from median nerve injury. TENS also diminished the development of neuropathic pain after nerve injury. CONCLUSION: Our animal model studying for neuropathic pain following median nerve injury may be useful to investigate peripheral neuropathic pain in human. Also, TENS may be used to mediate chronic neuropathic pain and to prevent the development of neuropathic pain following median nerve injury.

• 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.22 no.6
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• pp.71-76
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in autonomic nerve responses after low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Methods: Research subjects were 24 students who attend University. Subjects were divided into two groups: 1 = a low intensity group; 2 = a high intensity group. Electrodes were attached to the forearm of the dominant arm and electrical stimuli were administered for 15 minutes. Outcome measures were skin conduction velocity, skin temperature, blood flow, and pulse frequency, each of which was measured a total of 4 times. The data were analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA. Results: In changes in conduction velocity, the main effect of time variation (in black) was statistically significant. The interaction between time and group main effects was not statistically significant; nor was the difference between the groups. Results showed that skin conduction velocity changed without any relation to group. Conclusions: Low frequency TENS selectively increases skin conduction velocity, which may be helpful for activating sudomotor function regardless of intensity.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.63-72
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate difference of the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) with different frequencies in participants having delayed onset muscle soreness(DOMS). Methods : We recruited 36 healthy participants, but 3 of them were dropped out. They were randomly divided into 3groups : 3 Hz TENS(n=11), 100 Hz TENS(n=11) and sham TENS(n=11). DOMS of the both triceps surae muscle induced by repetitive concentric, ecentric exercise. The result measurements were pain perception(visual analogue scale, VAS), mechanical pain threshold(MPT) by pressure algometer, electrical contraction and fatigue by surface electromyography. The measurements were on first visit, before and after treatment except first. This study was prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blinded trial. Results : In 100 Hz TENS group, VAS was significantly decreased during whole session compared with 3 Hz and control group, and after each treatment, too. In 3 Hz TENS group, VAS was significantly decreased during whole session compared with control group, and after 2nd, 3rd treatment, too. In 100 Hz TENS group, MPT increased the most among 3 groups during whole session and after 1st treatment, but there were no statistical significances. Conclusions : Both 3 Hz and 100 Hz TENS improved delayed onset muscle soreness, but 100 Hz TENS group is more effective than 3 Hz TENS group.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was determine the effect of Balance Trainer training with Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on spasticity and balance in persons with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 30 subjects with hemiparetic stroke were recruited and randomly divided into the Balance Trainer training with TENS group (n=15) and Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS group (n=15). The Balance Trainer training with TENS group practiced additional Balance Trainer training with TENS for 30 minutes a day, 5 days per a week during 4 weeks and the Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS group practiced additional Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS for the same period. Spasticity and balance were assessed by ability (static balance, dynamic balance) and were measured before and after the 4-week programs. Results: The result of spasticity and dynamic balance were improved significantly in both groups (p<0.05). The Balance Trainer training with TENS group showed significantly greater improvement in spasticity of the gastrocnemius & dynamic balance, compared to the Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS group (p<0.05). The Balance trainer training with TENS group showed a significant improvement in static balance, especially during the eye-closed condition (p<0.05). Conclusions: The Balance Trainer training with TENS was effective in improving spasticity and balance in subjects with chronic stroke. Based on these results, it is suggested that Balance Trainer training with TENS could clinically be used more actively in conjunction with conventional physical therapy.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2020

Background: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), manual acupuncture (MA), and spinal cord stimulation (SCS) are used to treat a variety of pain conditions. These non-pharmacological treatments are often thought to work through similar mechanisms, and thus should have similar effects for different types of pain. However, it is unclear if each of these treatments work equally well on each type of pain condition. The purpose of this study was to compared the effects of TENS, MA, and SCS on neuropathic, inflammatory, and non-inflammatory pain models. Methods: TENS 60 Hz, 200 ㎲, 90% motor threshold (MT), SCS was applied at 60 Hz, an intensity of 90% MT, and a 0.25 ms pulse width. MA was performed by inserting a stainless-steel needle to a depth of about 4-5 mm at the Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints on a spared nerve injury (SNI), knee joint inflammation (3% carrageenan), and non-inflammatory muscle pain (intramuscular pH 4.0 injections) in rats. Mechanical withdrawal thresholds of the paw, muscle, and/or joint were assessed before and after induction of the pain model, and daily before and after treatment. Results: The reduced withdrawal thresholds were significantly reversed by application of either TENS or SCS (P < 0.05). MA, on the other hand, increased the withdrawal threshold in animals with SNI and joint inflammation, but not chronic muscle pain. Conclusions: TENS and SCS produce similar effects in neuropathic, inflammatory and non-inflammatory muscle pain models while MA is only effective in inflammatory and neuropathic pain models.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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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.