An Investigation of the Hypoalgesic Effects of TENS Delivered by a Glove Electrode

Stephen Cowan; Joanne McKenna; Evie McCrum-Gardner; Mark I Johnson; Kathleen A Sluka; Deirdre M Walsh

doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2008.12.004

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An Investigation of the Hypoalgesic Effects of TENS Delivered by a Glove Electrode

Journal article

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An Investigation of the Hypoalgesic Effects of TENS Delivered by a Glove Electrode

Stephen Cowan, Joanne McKenna, Evie McCrum-Gardner, Mark I Johnson, Kathleen A Sluka and Deirdre M Walsh

The journal of pain, Vol.10(7), pp.694-701

2009

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2008.12.004

PMCID: PMC2761234

PMID: 19398378

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Abstract

This randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study investigated the hypoalgesic effects of high-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) delivered via a glove electrode compared with standard self-adhesive electrodes. Fifty-six TENS-naïve, healthy individuals (18 to 50 years old; 28 men, 28 women) were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 groups (n = 14 per group): glove electrode; placebo TENS using a glove electrode; standard electrode; and no treatment control. Active TENS (continuous stimulus, 100 Hz, strong but comfortable intensity) was applied to the dominant forearm/hand for 30 minutes. Placebo TENS was applied using a burst stimulus, 100-Hz frequency, 5-second cycle time for 42 seconds, after which the current amplitude was automatically reset to 0 mA. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were recorded from 3 points on the dominant and nondominant upper limbs before and after TENS. Statistical analyses of dominant PPT data using between-within groups ANOVA showed significant differences between groups at all 3 recording points ( P = .01). Post hoc Scheffe tests indicated no significant difference between the standard electrode and glove electrode groups. There was a significant hypoalgesic effect in the standard electrode group compared with the control group and between the glove electrode group and both the control and placebo TENS groups. There was no significant interactive effect between time and group at any of the recording points ( P > .05). This study presents a comparison of the hypoalgesic effects of 2 different types of TENS electrode, a novel glove electrode and standard self-adhesive rectangular electrodes. The glove electrode provides a larger contact area with the skin, thereby stimulating a greater number of nerve fibers. The results show that both electrodes have similar hypoalgesic effects and therefore give the clinician another choice in electrode.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

pressure pain threshold

electrodes

Details

Title: Subtitle: An Investigation of the Hypoalgesic Effects of TENS Delivered by a Glove Electrode
Creators: Stephen Cowan - Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Research Institute, University of Ulster, Ulster, UK
Joanne McKenna - Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Research Institute, University of Ulster, Ulster, UK
Evie McCrum-Gardner - School of Health Sciences, University of Ulster, Ulster, UK
Mark I Johnson - Centre for Pain Research, Faculty of Health, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, UK
Kathleen A Sluka - Graduate Program in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Iowa, Iowa
Deirdre M Walsh - Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Research Institute, University of Ulster, Ulster, UK
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The journal of pain, Vol.10(7), pp.694-701
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2008.12.004
PMID: 19398378
PMCID: PMC2761234
NLM abbreviation: J Pain
ISSN: 1526-5900
eISSN: 1528-8447
Publisher: Elsevier Inc
Language: English
Date published: 2009
Academic Unit: Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Nursing; Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science; Neuroscience and Pharmacology
Record Identifier: 9984040224302771

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