Address correspondence and reprint requests to: E. H. Boezeman, MD, PhD, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology. St. Antonius Ziekenhuis. PO Box 2500, 3435 CM, Nieuwegein, THE NETHERLANDS. Email: [email protected]

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ABSTRACT

Objectives. This study attempts to confirm the hypothesis that transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) of peripheral Aβ fibers inhibits nociceptive processing, by quantifying the change of laser-evoked potential (LEP) components, using a 980-nm diode laser.

Materials and Methods. Cutaneous heat stimuli were delivered to the dorsum of the right hand in 13 volunteers. LEPs and pain intensity ratings were recorded before, during, and after the use of TENS (110 Hz) at the dorsolateral forearm. Area under the curve (AUC), LEP amplitudes (N2P2), and peak latencies (N2, P2) were calculated. The paired samples t-test was used for statistical analysis.

Results. A significant reduction of LEP amplitudes and AUC was found during and after the use of TENS (p < 0.05). After 10 min of TENS this was associated with a clinically relevant decrease of pain intensity.

Conclusions. Our data suggest that TENS inhibits nociceptive processing. Ten minutes of TENS exerts a clinically relevant pain reduction.

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Volume12, Issue2

April 2009

Pages 141-145

Inhibition of Cortical Laser-Evoked Potentials by Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

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Inhibition of Cortical Laser-Evoked Potentials by Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

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