Effects of two different intensities of transcutaneous electrical nerve          stimulation on pain thresholds of contralateral muscles in healthy          subjects

Katsuyoshi Tanaka; Masahiko Ikeuchi; Masashi Izumi; Koji Aso; Natsuki Sugimura; Hayato Enoki; Yasunori Nagano; Kenji Ishida; Toshikazu Tani

doi:10.1589/jpts.27.2771

Original Article

Effects of two different intensities of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on pain thresholds of contralateral muscles in healthy subjects

Katsuyoshi Tanaka, Masahiko Ikeuchi, Masashi Izumi, Koji Aso, Natsuki Sugimura, Hayato Enoki, Yasunori Nagano, Kenji Ishida, Toshikazu Tani

Author information

Katsuyoshi Tanaka
Department of Rehabilitation, Tanabe Orthopaedics Clinic: 5-52 Tennouji-ku, Osaka 543-0027, Japan
Masahiko Ikeuchi
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Japan
Masashi Izumi
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Japan
Koji Aso
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Japan
Natsuki Sugimura
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Japan
Hayato Enoki
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health and Welfare, Tokushima Bunri University, Japan
Yasunori Nagano
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kochi Medical School, Japan
Kenji Ishida
Department of Rehabilitation, Kurihara Central Hospital, Japan
Toshikazu Tani
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kubokawa Hospital, Japan

Keywords: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, Pressure pain threshold, Motor-level stimulation

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2015 Volume 27 Issue 9 Pages 2771-2774

DOI https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.2771

Details

Abstract

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the differential effects of high-intensity and low-intensity transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on the contralateral side on the pain threshold in healthy subjects. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-five healthy adults, volunteers received two intensity levels (motor-level, 1.5 times the muscle motor threshold; sensory-level, sensory threshold of the common peroneal nerve), for 30 s on separate days. Pressure pain threshold was recorded on the contralateral tibialis anterior and deltoid muscle before, during, and after stimulation. [Results] Motor-level stimulation significantly increased the pressure pain threshold at both muscle sites, while effects of sensory-level stimulation on pressure pain thresholds were significant only at the deltoid site. The percent change in pressure pain thresholds at both sites was significantly higher during motor-level stimulation. [Conclusion] Motor-level stimulation, applied unilaterally to one leg, produced immediate contralateral diffuse and segmental analgesic effects. This may be of therapeutic benefit in patients for whom transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation cannot be directly used at the painful site.

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