Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, acupuncture, and spinal cord stimulation on neuropathic, inflammatory and, non-inflammatory pain in rat models

Abstract

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 µs, 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.

Acupuncture for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Potential Mechanism from an Anti-Inflammatory Perspective

“…stimulate acupoints or sites on the surface of the body, which have the advantages of being safe, easy to use, and digitally operated. Studies have further shown that TENS/TEAS can treat many types of pain [116], including inflammatory pain [117] with satisfactory results [118]. A clinical study had also revealed that TEAS could decrease the levels of CXCL8, IL-1, IL-6, TNFα, and CCL2 to relieve inflammatory responses and decrease the injuries caused by lower limb ischemia-reperfusion [119].…”

Comparative Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Different Pain-alleviating Methods before Local Anesthetic Administration in Children of 6 to 12 Years of Age: A Clinical Study

“…Some postulated mechanisms of TENS-mediated pain relief include stimulating endorphin release in the spinal cord. 5 , 6 Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation stimulates large-diameter nerve fibers with a lower threshold to electrical activity than smaller diameter fibers. 7 Nociceptive fibers (A-delta and C-fibers) have a higher threshold of activation than mechanoreceptive fibers (A-beta fibers).…”

The neurobiology of pain and facial movements in rodents: Clinical applications and current research

“…Antagonists like tropisetron or granisetron 5-HT3 ( 53 ), cyanopindolol for 5-HT1A, ketanserin for 5-HT2 ( 54 ), and acetaminophen with its analgesic, antihyperalgesic, and antinociceptive action on the 5-HT1, 5-HT2, 5-HT3, and 5-HT7 receptors, are other examples ( 55 ) of the importance of serotonergic pathways in modulation. In addition, activation of gate theory—which results in the reduction of hyperalgesia and sensitization due to the participation of Aβ axons, opioids, 5-HT, and GABA—is achieved through transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or spinal cord stimulation in rats with joint inflammation and non-inflammatory muscle pain ( 56 ).…”