Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation at Auricular Points on Experimental Cutaneous Pain Threshold

Abstract

The purposes of this study were 1) to examine the effect of high intensity, low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation at auricular acupuncture points on experimental pain threshold measured at the wrist and 2) to determine the changes in effect over time. Forty-four healthy adult men and women were assigned randomly to one of three treatment groups. Group 1 (n = 15) received TENS to appropriate auricular points for wrist pain, Group 2 (n = 14) received TENS to inappropriate (placebo) auricular points, and Group 3 (n = 15) received no TENS. We measured experimental pain threshold at the wrist after an electrical stimulus during one pretreatment and three posttreatment time periods. Group 1 was the only group that had a statistically significant increase (p less than .05) in pain threshold after testing. This increase remained significant for all posttreatment measurements for Group 1. These results suggest that high intensity, low frequency TENS applied to appropriate auricular acupuncture points can increase pain threshold.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Auricular Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Managing Posthysterectomy Pain

“…Patients were instructed to respond verbally to the increasing intensity by saying “Feel it,” to indicate that they felt the electrical stimulus, and by saying “Stop” when they felt pain, at which time the intensity was not increased further. The treatment techniques and parameters were devised with reference to those used in previous studies [14, 18, 34]. Patients in the control group did not receive any auricular TENS and were instructed to rest in bed for 20 minutes.…”

Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for the Management of Burn Pruritus: A Pilot Study

“…Recent studies indicate that stimulating acupuncture points as a treatment for pain may be even more effective than TENS on other somatic points. 10,18,19 With respect to this study, the gate control theory best represents the affect of TENS on patients with burn pruritus. The exogenous stimulus provided by TENS appeared to override the patients' perception of pruritus.…”

Comparison of Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation of Auricular, Somatic, and the Combination of Auricular and Somatic Acupuncture Points on Experimental Pain Threshold

“…1). These auricular points were the same as those used in studies by Oliveri et al, 8 Krause et al, 9 and Noling et al, 10 which resulted in elevated experimental pain threshold at the wrist. In the Somatic Group (n = 17), unilateral TENS was applied to four somatic points: 1) Waiguan (SJ 5), 2) Yangchi (SJ 4), 3) Yangxi (LI 5), and 4) Hegu (LI 4) ( Fig.…”

“…67 Stimulation of acupuncture points on the auricle, or auriculotherapy, also is used for pain relief. Studies performed by Oliveri et al, 8 Krause et al, 9 and Noling et al 10 showed that low frequency, high intensity TENS applied to appropriate auricular points increased experimental pain threshold in healthy subjects. These studies indicated that auriculotherapy possibly could decrease pain in patients.…”