Change in Autonomic Nerve Responses after Low-frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

  • Lee, Jeong-Woo (Department of Physical Therapy, Kwangju Women's University) ;
  • Park, Ah-Rong (Department of Physical Therapy, Kwangju Women's University) ;
  • Hwang, Tae-Yeon (Department of Physical Therapy, Chonnam Techno College)
  • Received : 2010.08.25
  • Accepted : 2010.12.01
  • Published : 2010.12.25

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in autonomic nerve responses after low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Methods: Research subjects were 24 students who attend University. Subjects were divided into two groups: 1 = a low intensity group; 2 = a high intensity group. Electrodes were attached to the forearm of the dominant arm and electrical stimuli were administered for 15 minutes. Outcome measures were skin conduction velocity, skin temperature, blood flow, and pulse frequency, each of which was measured a total of 4 times. The data were analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA. Results: In changes in conduction velocity, the main effect of time variation (in black) was statistically significant. The interaction between time and group main effects was not statistically significant; nor was the difference between the groups. Results showed that skin conduction velocity changed without any relation to group. Conclusions: Low frequency TENS selectively increases skin conduction velocity, which may be helpful for activating sudomotor function regardless of intensity.

Keywords

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