Changes of sensory and pain threshold after transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation – TENS

Abstract

Non-invasive electrotherapy it is a safe way to use electric current in physical therapy to treat pain related to musculoskeletal diseases. Electrotherapy mediated analgesia results from stimulation of pain inhibiting receptors activity increase as well endogenous opioids secretion rise. Physical therapy applies different modalities to ease the pain whereas transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is one of them. The aim of this study was assessment of impact of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on sensory threshold and threshold of pain. Study included 33 females and 30 males, healthy volonteers aged 21–25 years. In participants single convectional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was performed. Sensory and pain threshold were assessed before stimulation, immediately after stimulation and in 15th and 30th minute after stimulation. Measurements were performed with PainMatcher device. The results have proved that single convectional TENS leads to sensory threshold decrease and increase of pain threshold. The research confirms positive effects of TENS in antinociceptic processes.