The Korean Journal of Pain

The Korean Pain Society (대한통증학회)
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The Effects of High-frequency, Non-noxious TENS on RIII Nociceptive Flexion Reflex and Temporal Summation in Human Subjects

정상인에서 고빈도의 무통증성 경피적 신경자극이 RIII Nociceptive Flexion Reflex와 Temporal Summation에 미치는 영향

  • Kim, Yong-Ik (Department of Anesthesiology, Soonchunghyang University College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Jang-Weon (Department of Anesthesiology, Pyongtaek Sungsim Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Jung-Soon (Seo-In Pain Clinic) ;
  • Chung, Jin-Hun (Department of Anesthesiology, Soonchunghyang University College of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Wook (Department of Anesthesiology, Soonchunghyang University College of Medicine)
  • 김용익 (순천향대학병원 마취과학교실) ;
  • 이장원 (평택성심병원 마취과) ;
  • 김정순 (서인 통증크리닉) ;
  • 정진헌 (순천향대학병원 마취과학교실) ;
  • 박욱 (순천향대학병원 마취과학교실)
  • Published : 2001.06.30
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Abstract

Background: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been used widely, but its effects are controversial. This is probably due to the varying intensity and type of pain. We designed a study to assess the effects of the TENS on the RIII nociceptive flexion reflex as the resting pain level and the temporal summation as a repeated, movement related pain in 7 normal volunteer subjects. Methods: High frequency (80 Hz), non-noxious TENS was applied over the left popliteal fossa for 20 minutes. Ipsilateral RIII reflexes induced by single electrical stimulus and temporal summation of pain responses to repeated stimuli (five stimuli at 2 Hz) were recorded before, during (just before stopping), and subsequently at 20 minutes after TENS. Results: R (III) nociceptive flexion reflex activity during and after TENS was more significantly decreased than before treatment. However, the temporal summation threshold was not changed. Conclusions: We conclude that high frequency, non-noxious TENS could be effective on resting pain relief in the same segment but not on the movement related pain.

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