Title: A study of the specific inhibitory effects of acupoints TENS on heat pain threshold in normal young subjects
Abstract: Objective To delineate the influence of acupoint TENS on pain threshold and vibrotactile sensation in human subjects. Methods Twenty normal, young subjects were randomly allocated into TENS and placebo groups. The conventional TENS (200 μs pulses at 100 Hz and 2 3 times sensory threshold) or placebo stimulation was applied to the acupuncture points (LI4) on each subject' s left hand. Heat pain and vibrotactile thresholds were measured using Medoc TSA 2001 and VSA 3000, respectively, on the thenar eminence of each subject's left hand. These assessments were done at 30, 20 and 10 min before and 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 min after 30 min of TENS or placebo treatment. Results In comparison with placebo stimulation, a significant increase in heat pain threshold, by 0.81℃and 1.54℃, was demonstrated at 0 ( P =0.002) and 20 min ( P =0.004), respectively, after 30 min of TENS application. No significant difference in vibrotactile threshold was found between the two groups. Conclusion The results demonstrated that, the effect of the acupoints TENS was to reduce pain rather than the vibrotactile sensibility. This might be attributed to the activation of the large fibers transmitting tactile sensations (especially the vibration) and the inhibition of the fine fibers transmitting the pain sensation.
Publication Year: 2002
Publication Date: 2002-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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