The analgesic effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and placebo in chronic pain patients

Summary The analgesic effects of high frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TNS), acupuncture-like TNS and placebo TNS were evaluated in 33 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic hand pain using a randomized, double-blind, non-crossover design. An oscilloscope was employed to monitor the stimulator output in the TNS treatment groups and to provide strong suggestion and a focus of attention in the placebo treatment group. The two forms of TNS were applied at the highest intensity that could be tolerated by patients. Assessments of resting pain, joint tenderness, grip strength and grip pain were made before and after treatment. The pain and joint tenderness measurements showed high frequency TNS, acupuncture-like TNS and placebo TNS to be equally effective in producing analgesia of similar degree and trend over time. The grip strength measurements showed no significant change. The results obtained with placebo are probably due to the suggestion and attention effects of the visual stimulus. The implications of these results in respect to pain control pathways are discussed. Although TNS given at high intensity was shown to be no better than placebo applied with strong suggestion, this does not preclude its use as a method of pain control in rheumatoid arthritis.     

The simultaneous use of a biventricular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit: implications for device interaction.

Undesirable sensing of external sources of electromagnetic interference by ICDs is well known. A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device has been reported to interfere with an ICD resulting in an inappropriate shock and patients with implanted defibrillators or pacemakers have been cautioned about the use of such units to treat chronic pain. We describe a patient regularly using TENS therapy for pain who subsequently received a biventricular ICD for malignant ventricular arrhythmias and medically refractory cardiac failure. He underwent testing for device interaction immediately post-implant. This did not show inappropriate sensing by either ICD or pacemaker component of his heart failure device. However, six months later, the patient complained of dizziness and bradycardia with application of TENS. Further testing did reveal interference with pacemaker function. Thus, even if initial testing is negative and reassuring, patients with a biventricular ICD still require careful follow-up for potential interaction and should be cautioned against the use of TENS, especially if they are pacemaker-dependent.     

酒石酸托特罗定联合经皮神经电刺激治疗老年女性膀胱过度活动症临床疗效分析

目的 探讨酒石酸托特罗定(舍尼亭)联合经皮神经电刺激(TENS)治疗老年女性膀胱过度活动症的临床疗效. 方法 选取2010年1～6月于我院泌尿外科门诊就诊并确诊为膀胱过度活动症的老年女性患者30例,随机分为两组.单独治疗组应用酒石酸托特罗定治疗,联合治疗组应用酒石酸托特罗定联合TENS治疗,疗程均为10 d.治疗前后应用膀胱过度活动症状评分(OABSS)、患者感知膀胱症状情况分级量表(PPBC)、生活质量评分(QOL)、视觉模拟量表(VAS)及5级疼痛评分法对疗效进行评价. 结果 治疗后单独治疗组24 h平均尿急次数、每周尿失禁次数、OABSS评分、PPBC评分、QOL评分、VAS评分及5级疼痛评分分别为(1.67±1.45)次/d、(1.53±1.25)次/周、(6.67±2.55)分、(2.07±0.96)分、(2.07±1.03)分、(3.67±0.90)分、(4.07±0.80)分,较治疗前的(6.40±1.45)次/d、(3.93±1.03)次/周、(13.00±1.00)分、(4.20±0.68)分、(3.80±0.68)分、(7.13±1.19)分、(9.40±1.55)分有明显改善(t=8.94、5.74、8.94、7.03、5.44、9.01、11.85,均P＜0.01);联合治疗组治疗后分别为(1.27±0.80)次/d、(1.20±0.77)次/周、(5.33±1.72)分、(1.67±0.62)分、(1.47±0.52)分、(2.93±0.80)分、(3.40±0.99)分,较治疗前的(6.20±1.26)次/ d、(4.00±1.25)次/周、(12.73±1.03)分、(4.07±0.80)分、(4.00±0.65)分、(7.47±0.74)分、(9.67±1.35)分亦有明显改善(t=12.77、7.36、14.29、9.21、11.77、16.09、14.55,均P＜0.01).治疗前后联合治疗组VAS评分及5级疼痛评分的评分差值均高于单独治疗组,差异具有统计学意义(t=4.88、2.75,P＜0.01). 结论 酒石酸托特罗定联合TENS治疗老年女性膀胱过度活动症状患者下尿路症状群安全、有效,可减轻疼痛程度并改善生活质量.     

Treatment for overactive bladder: A meta-analysis of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation versus percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation

Background:We aim to compare the safety and effectiveness of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) versus percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) in treating overactive bladder.Methods:A systematical search on PubMed, Embase, clinicalTrial.gov, and Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials from January 1, 1999 to November 1, 2020 was performed. The primary outcomes were the changes in a 3-day voiding diary. Quality of life scores were also evaluated. Review Manager 5.3 (Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK) was applied to conduct all statistical analyses.Results:A total of 4 trials (2 randomized controlled trials, 1 retrospective study, and 1 before-after study) with 142 patients were eventually enrolled. Compared with PTNS, TTNS had a similar performance in the voiding frequency in 24 hours (mean difference [MD] = −0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −1.35 to 0.05, P = .07), the number of urgency episodes in 24 hours (MD = 0.13, 95% CI: −0.36 to 0.62, P = .60), the number of incontinence episodes in 24 hours (MD = 0.01, 95% CI: −0.13 to 0.14, P = .93), as well as in the nocturia frequency (MD = −0.14, 95% CI: −0.52 to 0.24, P = .47). Moreover, comparable results were observed regarding HRQL scores (P = .23) and incontinence quality of life scores (P = .10) in both groups. The total complication rate in the current study was 2.1% (3/142). No adverse events were identified in the TTNS group.Conclusion:Current data supported that TTNS is as effective as PTNS for the treatment of overactive bladder, moreover, with no reported adverse events. However, the evidence is low-grade and well-designed prospective studies with a large sample size are warranted to verify our findings.     

经皮穴位电刺激对老年2型糖尿病患者血糖指标影响的初步观察

目的通过观察经皮穴位电刺激治疗对2型糖尿病老年患者血糖指标的影响,为部分运动受限的老年2型糖尿病患者寻找一种替代有氧运动的新方法。方法将60名老年2型糖尿病患者随机分为有氧运动训练组（30例）和经皮穴位电刺激治疗组（30例）,2组患者在常规2型糖尿病药物治疗的基础上,分别进行为期2m,每天1h的有氧运动训练和每天45min的经皮穴位电刺激治疗,每周5次,为期2m。在治疗前、治疗2m结束时、及治疗结束后2m随访时,分别进行餐后2h血糖,糖化血红蛋白、血清胰岛素等指标检测。结果两组在治疗2m结束时,餐后2h血糖、糖化血红蛋白、血清胰岛素等指标均有下降（P〈0．05）;治疗结束后2m随访时,上述各项指标虽有反弹,但是较治疗前相比仍有下降（P〈0．05）。2组间各时间点上述指标相比差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论经皮穴位电刺激作为一种老年2型糖尿病患者的新型物理治疗方法,与有氧运动在改善血糖指标方面具有同样的效果,可以替代老年2型糖尿病患者的有氧运动,值得临床推广。     

肠易激综合征患者直肠扩张后脑诱发电位的研究

目的 通过比较直肠扩张后脑诱发电位(CEP)的改变,探讨肠易激综合征(IBS)患者内脏高敏感性的发生机制,旨在进一步获得IBS感觉传入通路异常的客观依据。方法 根据罗马Ⅱ标准选择女性IBS患者10例,其中腹泻型6例,便秘型2例,腹泻-便秘交替型2例,另设7例女性健康志愿者为对照组,对其进行直肠气囊扩张,首先测出每例受试者感觉阈值,用1.5倍该阈值空气体积作为刺激(频率1Hz,连续100次,休息10分钟,重复一次),启动并记录两组受试者CEP的变化。结果 直肠节律性机械扩张引出可识别、可复制的CEP。与健康对照者相比,IBS患者N_1,P_1,N_2潜伏期明显缩短(P<0.05),同时,峰间波幅有增大趋势,但无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 IBS患者经直肠扩张后产生的CEP的改变证实了其内脏高敏感性及内脏传入通路的异常。     

TEAS复合药物全麻行控制性降压后胃血流的变化

目的:探讨经皮穴位电刺激(transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation,TEAS)复合药物全麻行控制性降压至不同血压水平的胃血流变化,从而明确针药复合麻醉的胃保护机制.方法:54只,♂,比格犬随机分为9组:单纯全麻组、60%对照组、60%实验组、50%对照组、50%实验组、40%对照组、40%实验组、30%对照组、30%实验组,每组6只,后8组动物均以异氟醚联合硝普钠行控制性降压,将动脉血压降至60%、50%、40%、30%基础平均动脉血压水平并维持60min,单纯全麻组不行控制性降压.实验组采用TEAS干预处理,采用激光多普勒组织血流仪监测不同水平相应时间点胃表面血流的变化.结果:在行控制性降压至目标低血压水平(T0)时,所有对照组胃血流均显著低于各自基础水平(P<0.05),而60%实验组、50%实验组胃血流未明显降低,在维持10min(T1)时,除50%实验组外,其他各控压组胃血流均显著低于各自基础水平和同期单纯全麻组水平(P<0.05),50%实验组与同水平对照组相比有显著统计学差异(P<0.05),在血压回升阶段,50%、30%、40%实验组胃血流先后恢复至基础水平和同期单纯全麻组水平,而同水平对照组未明显恢复.结论:轻度控压时(尤其是50%水平),TEAS的胃保护效应明显.重度控压时(尤其是30%水平),TEAS基本无保护效应,但在血压回升结束时,TEAS可促进胃血流的较快恢复.     

经皮穴位电刺激改善功能性消化不良患者症状和胃容受性的相关机制

目的:探索经皮穴位电刺激(TEAS)治疗功能性消化不良(FD)中餐后不适综合征(PDS)的疗效和机制。方法:采用双盲、随机、对照研究,前瞻性选择于浙江大学医学院附属邵逸夫医院就诊、满足罗马Ⅳ诊断标准中的18～70岁的PDS患者40例,患者知情同意后随机分入TEAS组和模拟TEAS组,分别接受经皮电针刺激足三里、内关穴和...     

Emerging technology: electrical stimulation in obstructive sleep apnoea

Electrical stimulation (ES) of the upper airway (UAW) dilator muscles for patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) has been used for several decades, but in recent years research in this field has experienced a renaissance; the results of several studies have triggered a steady rise in the interest in this topic. Prospective trials, although still lacking a sham-controlled and randomised approach, have revealed the potential of ES. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) leads to a significant reduction in the apnoea-hypopnoea index and the oxygen desaturation index (ODI). There are similar results published from feasibility studies for transcutaneous ES. A limitation of HNS remains the invasive procedure, the costs involved and severe adverse events, while for the non-invasive approach complications are rare and limited. The limiting step for transcutaneous ES is to deliver a sufficient current without causing arousal from sleep. Despite the progress up to date, numerous variables including optimal stimulation settings, different devices and procedures remain to be further defined for the invasive and the non-invasive method. Further studies are required to identify which patients respond to this treatment. ES of the UAW dilator muscles in OSA has the potential to develop into a clinical alternative to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. It could benefit selected patients who fail standard therapy due to poor long-term compliance. It is likely that international societies will need to review and update their existing guidance on the use of ES in OSA.     

Effects of short term sacral nerve stimulation on anal and rectal function in patients with anal incontinence

BACKGROUND: Some patients with faecal incontinence are not amenable to simple surgical sphincter repair, due to sphincter weakness in the absence of a structural defect. AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and possible mode of action of short term stimulation of sacral nerves in patients with faecal incontinence and a structurally intact external anal sphincter. PATIENTS: Twelve patients with faecal incontinence for solid or liquid stool at least once per week. METHODS: A stimulating electrode was placed (percutaneously in 10 patients, operatively in two) into the S3 or S4 foramen. The electrode was left in situ for a minimum of one week with chronic stimulation. RESULTS: Evaluable results were obtained in nine patients, with early electrode displacement in the other three. Incontinence ceased in seven of nine patients and improved notably in one; one patient with previous imperforate anus and sacral agenesis had no symptomatic response. Stimulation seemed to enhance maximum squeeze pressure but did not alter resting pressure. The rectum became less sensitive to distension with no change in rectal compliance. Ambulatory studies showed a possible reduction in rectal contractile activity and diminished episodes of spontaneous anal relaxation. CONCLUSIONS: Short term sacral nerve stimulation notably decreases episodes of faecal incontinence. The effect may be mediated via facilitation of striated sphincter muscle function, and via neuromodulation of sacral reflexes which regulate rectal sensitivity and contractility, and anal motility.     

Acupuncture and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation in the treatment of pain associated with chronic pancreatitis. A randomized study

In 23 patients with pancreatitis, daily pain for at least 3 months, and no abuse of alcohol, the pain-relieving effect of electroacupuncture (13 patients) or transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) (16 patients) was studied. In two prospective studies with a cross-over design, active acupuncture was compared with sham acupuncture, and TENS of the segmental points of the pancreas with sham treatment. Neither electroacupuncture nor TENS brought about pain relief that could substitute for or supplement medical treatment.     

Eliciting blinks by transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation improves tear fluid in healthy video display terminal users: A self-controlled study

We aimed to elicit strong blinks among healthy video display terminal (VDT) users by periorbital transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) and evaluate its impact on the tear fluid and visual task. Appropriate TENS conditions were evaluated to evoke strong blinks under minimum discomfort. Seventeen healthy VDT users with noninvasive Keratograph first breakup time (NIKf-BUT) 5-15 s and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores < 15 were recruited in this study. Before the trial, noninvasive Keratograph average breakup time (NIKa-BUT), tear meniscus height (TMH) and OSDI scores were evaluated. Before each TENS session, the volunteers played Tetris while the corresponding blink rate and Tetris scores were recorded. Then, the participants underwent 30 minutes of TENS, which evoked blinking of their right eye 20 times per minute. Tetris scores were evaluated again during TENS. The Tetris scores and corresponding blink rate were assessed after each TENS session while NIKa-BUT, TMH and OSDI scores were recorded after the third and sixth TENS sessions. We found that OSDI scores declined significantly after the sixth TENS (P = .003). The NIKa-BUT of the right eye was promoted after the sixth TENS (P = .02), and the TMH was higher after the third and sixth TENS in both eyes (P = .03, P = .03 for right eyes respectively, P = .01, P = .01 for left eyes respectively). There was no significant difference between the adjusted Tetris scores before and during TENS (P = .12). The blink rate before and after TENS were unaffected after 6 sessions (P = .61). The results indicated that periorbital TENS effectively ameliorated ocular irritation and improved tear secretion and tear film stability by eliciting strong blinks in healthy VDT users without disturbing the visual task.     

整肤与体表神经电刺激治疗成人大骨节病的对比研究

目的对整肤与体表神经电刺激两种治疗成人大骨节病患者的方法及效果进行对比研究。方法选取成人大骨节病患者52例,采用国际通用的视觉疼痛判定法进行疼痛分级,然后随机分为整肤治疗组与体表神经电刺激治疗组,分别给予整肤疗法和体表神经电刺激疗法对两组成人大骨节病患者进行治疗,通过疗效判断标准确定患者的治疗效果并进行对比分析研究。结果整肤治疗组治疗效果优良率84.6%,总有效率100.0% 体表神经电刺激治疗组治疗效果优良率61.5%,总有效率100.0%。两组优良率比较有显著性差异（P〈0.05）。结论两种治疗方法对成人大骨节病患者均有显著疗效,整肤疗法的疗效更佳。     

Rehabilitation: Periodic somatosensory stimulation increases arterial baroreflex sensitivity in chronic heart failure patients

Background

One of the beneficial effects of exercise training in chronic heart failure (CHF) is an improvement in baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), a prognostic index in CHF. In our hypothesis-generating study we propose that at least part of this effect is mediated by neural afferent information, and more specifically, by exercise-induced somatosensory nerve traffic.

Objective

To compare the effects of periodic electrical somatosensory stimulation on BRS in patients with CHF with the effects of exercise training and with usual care.

Methods

We compared in stable CHF patients the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS, N = 23, LVEF 30 ± 9%) with the effects of bicycle exercise training (EXTR, N = 20, LVEF 32 ± 7%). To mimic exercise-associated somatosensory ergoreceptor stimulation, we applied periodic (2/s, marching pace) burst TENS to both feet. TENS and EXTR sessions were held during two successive days.

Results

BRS, measured prior to the first intervention session and one day after the second intervention session, increased by 28% from 3.07 ± 2.06 to 4.24 ± 2.61 ms/mm Hg in the TENS group, but did not change in the EXTR group (baseline: 3.37 ± 2.53 ms/mm Hg; effect: 3.26 ± 2.54 ms/mm Hg) (P(TENS vs EXTR) = 0.02). Heart rate and systolic blood pressure did not change in either group.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that periodic somatosensory input alone is sufficient and efficient in increasing BRS in CHF patients. This concept constitutes a basis for studies towards more effective exercise training regimens in the diseased/impaired, in whom training aimed at BRS improvement should possibly focus more on the somatosensory aspect.     

Pilot study using transcutaneous electrical stimulation (interferential current) to treat chronic treatment-resistant constipation and soiling in children

BACKGROUND: Chronic constipation in children may have organic or behavioral causes. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of treatment with transcutaneous electrical stimulation (using interferential current) in children with chronic treatment-resistant constipation with proven organic disorders. METHODS: Eight children (7-16 years) with at least 4 years of chronic treatment-resistant constipation and soiling, who had failed diet, laxative treatment and behavioral therapy were given 1 month of transcutaneous electrical stimulation. The three most severe cases had appendicostomies with antegrade washouts every 2-3 days to prevent impaction and reduce their soiling. Children and carers kept a daily diary of bowel habits, recording number of spontaneous defecations, episodes of soiling, use of bowel washouts and medications. Transcutaneous stimulation using interferential current was applied three times per week for 3-4 weeks using four surface electrodes, two to the paraspinal area of T9-10 to L2 and one to either side of the anterior abdominal wall beneath the costal margin. Diaries were recorded for 1 month before, during, and after stimulation and for 2 weeks 3 months later. RESULTS: Transcutaneous electrical stimulation using interferential current stopped soiling in 7/8 children and increased the frequency of spontaneous defecations in 5/8. Defecations remained high and soiling low for 3 months in 3/6 children (with data). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that transcutaneous electrical stimulation using interferential current has a beneficial effect for children with chronic treatment-resistant constipation. Further trials using larger series of patients are needed to confirm this benefit, to determine the ideal stimulation parameters and to investigate why electrical stimulation might be effective.