Volunteers’ concerns about facial neuromuscular electrical stimulation

Abstract

Facial neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is the application of an electrical current to the skin to induce muscle contractions and has enormous potential for basic research and clinical intervention in psychology and neuroscience. Because the technique remains largely unknown, and the prospect of receiving electricity to the face can be daunting, willingness to receive facial NMES is likely to be low and gender differences might exist in the amount of concern for the sensation of pain and skin burns. We investigated these questions in 182 healthy participants. The likelihood of taking part (LOTP) in a hypothetical facial NMES study was measured both before and after presenting a detailed vignette about facial NMES including its risks. Results showed that LOTP was generally high and that participants remained more likely to participate than not to, despite a decrease in LOTP after the detailed vignette. LOTP was significantly predicted by participants’ previous knowledge about electrical stimulation and their tendency not to worry about the sensations of pain, and it was inversely related to concerns for burns and loss of muscle control. Fear of pain was also inversely related to LOTP, but its effect was mediated by the other concerns. We conclude that willingness to receive facial NMES is generally high across individuals in the studied age range (18–45) and that it is particularly important to reassure participants about facial NMES safety regarding burns and loss of muscle control. The findings are relevant for scholars considering using facial NMES in the laboratory.

Application of facial neuromuscular electrical stimulation (fNMES) in psychophysiological research: Practical recommendations based on a systematic review of the literature

“…To achieve this, electrode placement over selected muscles should be guided by careful consideration of muscle anatomy and physiology (Cattaneo & Pavesi, 2014 ; Korb & Sander, 2009 ; Pessa et al, 1998 ; Rinn, 1984 ), as well as electrical stimulation parameters (pulse width, frequency, intensity, waveform; see section “ Systematic review ”) for an extensive list). In addition, it is advisable to take into consideration and manage volunteers’ concerns about the comfort of fNMES and its possible side effects in terms of pain induction and loss of muscle control (Efthimiou et al, 2022 ). The following section will provide an overview of the electrical parameters, hardware, and safety considerations when using fNMES.…”

“…To minimise this risk, an appropriate electrode should be considered (see below). Given that the concern for burns is of significant importance to participants (Efthimiou et al, 2022 ), it should also be addressed early in the laboratory session to ensure that participants feel at ease.…”

Application of facial Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (fNMES) in psychophysiological research – practical recommendations based on a systematic review of the literature

“…To achieve this, electrode placement over selected muscles should be guided by careful consideration of muscle anatomy and physiology (Cattaneo & Pavesi, 2014;Korb & Sander, 2009;Pessa et al, 1998;Rinn, 1984), as well as electrical stimulation parameters (polarity, pulse width, frequency, intensity, waveform etc.). In addition, it is advisable to take into consideration and manage volunteers' concerns about the safety of fNMES, and about its side-effects in terms of pain induction and loss of muscle control (Efthimiou et al, 2022). The following section will provide an overview of the electrical parameters, hardware, and safety considerations when using NMES.…”

Measurement of the N170 during facial neuromuscular electrical stimulation (fNMES)

“…before, during, or after the onset of a visually presented face). As such, fNMES bears enormous potential to study the effects of proprioceptive facial inputs in healthy participants, but remains largely unknown to both researchers and volunteers (Efthimiou, Hanel, et al, 2022;Efthimiou, Perusquía-Hernández, et al, 2022).…”