• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.217-220
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• 1999

Background: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) has been widely used for pain relief after surgery instead of opioid analgesics therapy. This study was designed to study the effectiveness of TENS on perianal pain after anal surgery. Methods: Forty-eight patients who underwent anal surgery were evaluated in this suudy. Caudal anesthesia with 1.5% lidocaine 30 ml mixture 1：200,000 epinephrine was performed. TENS was done at 100 Hz for 25 min. duration, postoperatively at 4 hrs and 24 hrs. Pain was also measured at the 4 hrs and 24 hrs postoperatively by visual analogue scale (VAS). VAS value were compared before and after TENS application. Results: Values of VAS after TENS were significantly lower compared to those before TENS. Conclusions: From these results, we concluded, TENS may be effective for postoperative perianal pain relief after anal surgery.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.107-115
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study is to find the location of acupoints that are effective for increasing parasympathetic nervous system(PNS) activity among acupoints used to relieve symptoms such as dizziness and nausea. Materials and Methods: Twenty healthy adult men participated in this experiment. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) was applied to P6(Neiguan), ST36(Zusanli) and BL20(Pishu) for 30 minutes. For 5 minutes before and after stimulation, Electrocardiogram(ECG), Electrodermal activity(EDA), Respiration, and Skin temperature(SKT) were measured using biosignalsplux Professional(biosignalsplux; Portugal). Paired t-test was performed for the results before and after stimulation, and a one-way ANOVA test between stimulations was performed for the rate of change before and after stimulation. Results: When each acupoint was stimulated with TENS, it was found that the PNS was generally activated. In addition, when considering the change in biosignals after stimulation, the participants stimulated with P6 showed the most consistent results. Conclusion: As a result of stimulating each acupoint, it was found that stimulating P6 can effectively increase PNS activity. These results indicate that methods of stimulating P6 may be most effective in alleviating symptoms of motion sickness.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.465-479
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• 1995

We randomly assigned 61 healthy subjects(male 14, female 47) to compare the experimental pain threshold and skin temperature between high mode TENS and burst mode TENS. In this study, 61 subjects were divided into three groups ; high mode TENS(n=20), burst mode TENS (n=20), and control group(n=21). Experimental pain thresholds and skin temperatures were measured before, immediately after cessation of stimulation, and at 30 minutes post stimulation. Stimulation was applied to the dorsal surface of the forearm(L14, LI10). Pain thresholds were measured by chronaxie meter. Skin temperature were measured by electrical digital thermometer. The results are as follows ; 1. There were no statistical difference in the pain threshold and skin temperature at before TENS stimulation among the three groups(p>0.05). 2. The pain threshold and skin temperature in burst mode TENS group was significantly higher and longer effect than that in high mode TENS group and control group(p<0.01). 3. The pain threshold in burst mode TENS group decreased to prestimulation levels by 30 minutes poststimulation. 4. The skin temperature in burst mode TENS group decreased to prestimulation levels by 20 minutes poststimulation. 5. The skin temperature was significantly difference among three group at immediately after, and at 30 minutes poststimulation and the skin temperature in burst mode TENS group was significantely higher than that in two groups(p<0.001). 6. The increasing rate of pain threshold in high mode TENS group after immediately cassation of stimulation was 24.3%(p<0.001). 7. The increasing rate of pain threshold in burst mode TENS group after immediately cessation of stimulation was 93.5% (p<0.001).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.75-83
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the resistance respiratory muscle exercise with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the respiratory muscle tone and pulmonary function of stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty stroke patients were divided into the TENS group (n = 7), placebo TENS group (n = 7), and control group (n = 6), and each intervention was performed on the three groups 5 times a week for 4 weeks. The assessment was carried out by measuring changes in the muscle tone of the latissimus dorsi and abdominal external obliques, and pulmonary function. RESULTS: In this study, the TENS group and the placebo TENS group had significant increases in the paretic side latissimus dorsi muscle tone, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow (PEF). There was no significant difference in changes in respiratory muscle tone between the three groups. The pulmonary function was significantly different between the three groups, and it was observed from the results of the post-hoc test that FVC showed a significant increase in the TENS group and the placebo TENS group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Through this study, it was found that the respiratory muscle resistance exercise was more effective as a method to increase respiratory muscle tone and pulmonary function in stroke patients than combined transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.217-228
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in chronic low back pain and neuropathic pain. Methods: Seventy-four patients aged 18-65 with chronic low back pain were included in the study. Baseline measurements were performed, and patients were randomized into three groups. The first group received burst TENS (bTENS), the second group conventional TENS (cTENS), and the third group placebo TENS (pTENS), all over 15 sessions. Patients' visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were evaluated before treatment (preT), immediately after treatment (postT), and in the third month after treatment (postT3). Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions (DN4), the Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (MOS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and sympathetic skin response (SSR) values were also evaluated preT and postT3. Results: A statistically significant improvement was observed in mean VAS scores postT compared to preT in all three groups. Intergroup comparison revealed a significant difference between preT and postT values, that difference being assessed in favor of bTENS at multiple comparison analysis. Although significant improvement was determined in neuropathic pain DN4 scores measured at postT3 compared to preT in all groups, there was no significant difference between the groups. No statistically significant difference was also observed between the groups in terms of MOS, BDI, or SSR values at postT3 (P > 0.05). Conclusions: bTENS therapy in patients with low back pain is an effective and safe method that can be employed in short-term pain control.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.39-48
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of integrating transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation into treadmill gait training by applying functional electrical stimulation on the spasticity, balance, and gait ability of chronic stroke patients METHODS: Twenty participants were assigned randomly to two groups: the treadmill gait training group with applied functional electrical stimulation (FES) with integrated transcutaneous electricalstimulation (TENS) (experimental group, EG, n = 10) and the treadmill gait training group with FES (control group, CG, n = 10). Both groups received treadmill gait training with FES for 30 minutes a time, four times a week, during five weeks. The experimental group received additional TENS on their L3, L5, and S2 dermatome for 30 minutes before the interventions. The spasticity, balance, and gait ability were evaluated before and after the training to compare the intergroup and intragroup changes. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvements in the static, dynamic balance, and gait ability (p < .05), but did not show any significant changes in the muscle tone. The EG showed significant improvements in the static balance ability and gait cycle compared to the CG (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Treadmill gait training combined with FES with integrated TENS is an effective method for improving the static balance and gait cycle. On the other hand, the effects of treadmill gait training with FES on spasticity need to be studied further.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.83-92
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• 2014

Objectives To evaluate the clinical usefulness between muscle energy techniques (MET) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS), we performed both on elector spinae muscle of acute low back pain patients. Methods After performing MET and TENS, we compared both in terms of electrical activity. We performed MET or TENS on elector spinae muscle of acute low back pain patients in each group (n=15,15). After performing MET or TENS, we analyzed root mean square (RMS), median edge frequency (MEF) and asymmetry index (AI). Results 1. After performing MET on elector spinae muscle of acute low back pain patients, RMS was significantly decreased compared with before (p<0.005). 2. After performing TENS on elector spinae muscle of acute low back pain patients, RMS was significantly decreased compared with before (p<0.005). 3. After performing MET on elector spinae muscle of acute low back pain patients, asymmetric index was significantly decreased compared with before (p<0.05). Conclusions According to above results, performing MET on elector spinae muscle of acute low back pain patients has effect in terms of RMS and asymmetric index. And performing TENS on elector spinae muscle of acute low back pain patients also has similar effect in terms of RMS but has not in terms of asymmetric index.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.99-106
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect on plasma beta endorphin concentration level and the influences on pain score of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) mediation to patients During a prostate needle biopsy. Methods: TENS was administered to only the experimental group. The electric current was given in high frequency (40-100 pps) and low intensity ($2-50{\mu}s$) from the waiting room stage until the end of the procedure. The average time spent was 35 minutes. Following 10 minutes of retention in the rectum, there was a biopsy. In two groups, the pain score was assessed twice when vas pain penetrated into the rectum, during the needle biopsy. The Beta endorphin concentration level was assessed through blood gathering 2 times in the Nuclear Medicine Labs before and after the test. Results: There was not much difference in pain levels from both groups when a microscope probe penetrated into the rectum and in the time when tissues were collected. However, the average overall pain level was reduced during those two procedures. The plasma beta endorphin level was increased in the TENS medicated group compared with the unmedicated group after the procedures were completed. Conclusion: The research indicates that TENS was desirable to be considered as a non-invasive method for controlling pain.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.37-50
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to compare visual analogue scale (VAS), pain threshold (PT), $%RMS_{RVC}$, and EMG gaps before and after applying transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the upper trapezius muscle at the patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). The subjects were 4 men and 10 women composed of both the inpatients and outpatients who were diagnosed as MPS at Wonju Medical Center. VAS and PT measurements were performed to assess the subjective pain level. The reference voluntary contraction (RVC) test was performed for 15 seconds for normalization on the bilateral trapezius muscle using surface electromyography (sEMG). After 3-minute resting time, the EMG signal was recorded while performing a typing activity for 2 minutes and then TENS was applicated with a comfortable intensity for 10 minutes. The EMG activity of the upper trapezius muscle was recorded during typing for 2 minutes. The results of study were as follows: 1) VAS score was significantly decreased on the more painful side after treatment, however, it was not significantly different on the less painful side. 2) PT was increased after treatment on both sides, however, it was not significantly different between before and after the TENS application. 3) The EMG activity during typing was significantly decreased after treatment, and 4) The EMG gaps were significantly increased after TENS treatment compared to before it. Consequently, the study showed that TENS was effective in decreasing VAS, $%RMS_{RVC}$, and in increasing EMG gaps. The EMG gap analysis could be a useful method to measure pain in patients with MPS in the upper trapezius.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2016

Background: The study aimed to determine if ultrasonography of masseter can be used to evaluate the outcome of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in subjects with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) such as myositis and myofascial pain. Methods: Fifteen TMD subjects with myofascial pain/myositis who satisfied the RDC/McNeil criteria were included in the study. All the subjects were administered TENS therapy for a period of 6 days (30 minutes per session). The mouth opening (in millimeters) and severity of pain (visual analogue scale score) and ultrasonographic thickness of the masseter (in millimeters) in the region of trigger/tender areas was assessed in all the subjects both prior and post TENS therapy. A comparison of the pre-treatment and post-treatment values of the VAS score, mouth opening and masseter thickness was done with the help of a t-test. Results: There was a significant reduction in the thickness of masseter muscle (P = 0.028) and VAS scores (P < 0.001) post TENS therapy. There was also a significant improvement in the mouth opening (P = 0.011) post TENS therapy. Conclusions: In the present study, ultrasonography was found to be an effective measuring tool in the assessment of TENS therapy in subjects with myositis and myofascial pain.