Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on Changes in Postural Balance and Muscle Contraction following Muscle Fatigue

Abstract

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) applied to fatigued muscles on postural imbalance and decline in muscle strength following fatigue of the gastrocnemius.[Subjects] Eighteen subjects with muscle fatigue were allocated to either a sensory threshold group or a 2~3 times sensory threshold group and the study followed a randomized single-blind cross-over design.[Methods] Muscle fatigue of the gastrocnemius was induced by repeated exercise. After inducing fatigue, TENS was applied to the fatigued muscle. The postural sway length (PSL), postural sway velocity (PSV) and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) were measured before and after the induction of fatigue, and during the application of TENS to the fatigued muscles.[Results] Muscle fatigue increased postural imbalance as expressed by length and velocity of body sway and decreased muscle strength, while TENS improved the postural imbalance and partially reversed the muscle strength decline induced by muscle fatigue.[Conclusion] Muscle fatigue is an important factor in postural balance control and muscle voluntary contraction, and TENS can be effective at relieving muscle fatigue.

Therapeutic effects of massage and electrotherapy on muscle tone, stiffness and muscle contraction following gastrocnemius muscle fatigue

“…Massage therapy is one widely used therapeutic intervention 5 ) that is effective for recovering from pain, muscle stiffness, perceived fatigue, and fibromyalgia 5 , 6 ) . Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is also effective for decreasing muscle fatigue 7 ) and enhancing postural sway 8 ) . Recently, some studies have reported that electrical stimulation has an positive effect on the management of muscle fatigue 7 , 8 ) , but a greater effect was reported with the use of therapies that combined different interventions 9 , 10 ) .…”

Current practice and usual care of major cervical disorders in Korea

“…[ 24 ] Electric therapy encompasses such modalities as interferential current therapy (ICT) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and the reported effects of ICT include increased pressure pain threshold (PPT) [ 25 ] and decreased pain sensitivity in myalgia patients [ 26 ] along with reduced swelling, and various applications to tissue and bone regeneration. [ 27 , 28 ] Meanwhile, studies on high-frequency TENS at 100 Hz have resulted in improved muscle power, fatigue, and balancing ability [ 29 ] by means of increased gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and release in the spinal cord. [ 30 ]…”

The effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on postural sway on fatigued dorsi-plantar flexor

“…Among various researches using TENS found in many previous studies, Cho et al's study reports that TENS application on the gastrocnemius is eventually found to be effective when the difference is analyzed by using the 3D motion analyzer between the before and the after of fatigue occurrence on a normal person by applying a electrical nerve stimulation on the gastrocnemius [14]. Cho et al's research is different from the research of this study by applying TENS only on the gastrocnemius while the tibialis anterior is missed, yet, is meaningful for finding the effect of TENS application on the gastrocnemius.…”

“…On the second day, after performing fatigue causing movements as above, TENS (STT-500, Stratek, Korea) is applied with the frequency of 100 Hz and 8.4 mA on the tibialis anterior for 30 minutes during standing [14]. On the second day, after performing fatigue causing movements as above, TENS (STT-500, Stratek, Korea) is applied with the frequency of 100 Hz and 8.4 mA on the tibialis anterior for 30 minutes during standing [14].…”

“…In Gimmon et al, it is reported that the increase of postal sway due to muscle fatigues is a result of the functional posture instability and may result the reduction of postural control [7]. On the other hands, the application TENS improves the postural instability and recovers the muscle power reduction occurred by muscle fatigues [14].…”