Alterations in Electrical Pain Thresholds by Use of Acupuncture-like Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Pain-free Subjects

Acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (ALTENS) was compared with a placebo treatment in altering acute electrical pain thresholds. Ten pain-free subjects underwent, on different days, an acclimatization session, an ALTENS treatment, and a placebo treatment in a cross-over desi...

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Published inPhysical therapy Vol. 72; no. 9; pp. 658 - 00667
Main Authors RIEB, L, POMERANZ, B
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Alexandria, VA American Physical Therapy Association 01.09.1992
Oxford University Press
Subjects
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Electric Stimulation - adverse effects
Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture - standards
Female
Health aspects
Humans
Male
Measurement
Medical sciences
Models, Neurological
Pain
Pain - etiology
Pain - physiopathology
Pain Management
Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects)
Sensory Thresholds - physiology
Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation - standards
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
Analgesia
Pain
Methodology
Electrotherapy
Finger
Acupuncture
Hand
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Summary:Acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (ALTENS) was compared with a placebo treatment in altering acute electrical pain thresholds. Ten pain-free subjects underwent, on different days, an acclimatization session, an ALTENS treatment, and a placebo treatment in a cross-over design. Electrical sensation and pain thresholds were measured from the tip of the index finger bilaterally at 15-minute intervals twice before, once during, and three times after a 30-minute treatment session. The ALTENS treatment was given at 4 Hz at an intensity just below pain threshold delivered to acupuncture points in the hand and wrist. The placebo treatment was similarly delivered, except that the intensity of stimulation was just above sensation threshold. Neither the ALTENS treatment nor the placebo treatment produced a significant change in pain threshold. There was no correlation between initial pain threshold and change in pain threshold. Implications for the modulation of pain are discussed.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
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ISSN:0031-9023
1538-6724
DOI:10.1093/ptj/72.9.658