Effects of Auricular Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Experimental Pain Threshold

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the effects of high intensity transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation at auricular acupuncture points on experimental pain threshold. Forty-five healthy adult male and female subjects were assigned randomly to one of two treatment groups or to a control group. Subjects in the two treatment groups received high intensity TENS to either appropriate or inappropriate (placebo) acupuncture points on one ear. Experimental pain threshold at the ipsilateral wrist was determined with a painful electrical stimulus before and after ear stimulation. Only the group receiving stimulation of appropriate ear acupuncture points exhibited a significant increase (p less than .01) in experimental pain threshold after ear stimulation. The comparable placebo and control groups, again, did not exhibit significant pretest-posttest differences in experimental pain threshold. The results suggest that, if applied accurately, auricular TENS can increase pain threshold. Further research is needed to assess the effects of this technique on patient groups.

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.…”

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

“…Experimental pain thresholds were measured again immediately after treatment or rest. This treatment technique and the experimental pain threshold determination technique were similar to those used previously by Oliveri et al, 8 Krause et al, 9 and Noling et al 10…”

“…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.…”

Increasing Involuntary Torque Production by Using TENS

“…Although the phenomenon of pain perception is still not well understood, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been demonstrated to reduce both clinical and experimental pain perception, and has increased experimental electrical pain threshold (5,8,9,11).…”