The effect of high- and low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation upon cutaneous blood flow and skin temperature in healthy subjects

Abstract Background and Purpose. Based on changes in skin temperature alone, some authors have proposed that postganglionic sympathetic vasoconstrictor fibers can be stimulated transcutaneously. Our goal was to determine the effects of low-frequency (2 bursts per second), burst-mode transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on calf vascular resistance, a more direct marker of sympathetic vasoconstrictor outflow than skin temperature, in subjects with no known pathology. Subjects. Fourteen women and 6 men (mean age=31 years, SD=13, range=18–58) participated in this study. Methods. Calf blood flow, arterial pressure, and skin temperature were measured while TENS was applied over the common peroneal and tibial nerves. Results. Blood flow immediately following stimulation was not affected by TENS applied just under or just above the threshold for muscle contraction. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation applied at 25% above the motor threshold caused a transient increase in calf blood flow. Regardless of stimulation intensity, TENS had no effect on arterial pressure; therefore, calf vascular resistance decreased only during the trial that was 25% above the motor threshold. Regardless of stimulation intensity, TENS failed to alter dorsal or plantar skin temperature. Discussion and Conclusion. These results demonstrate that the effects of TENS on circulation depend on stimulation intensity. When the intensity was sufficient to cause a moderate muscle contraction, a transient, local increase in blood flow occurred. Cooling of the dorsal and plantar skin occurred in both the stimulated and control legs, most likely because skin temperature acclimatized to ambient room temperature, rather than because of any effect of TENS on circulation. The data, therefore, call into question the idea that postganglionic sympathetic efferent fibers are stimulated when TENS is applied at clinically relevant intensities to people without symptoms of cardiovascular or neuromuscular pathology.

Download Full-text

Blood Flow Changes in the Trapezius Muscle and Overlying Skin Following Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Physical Therapy ◽

10.2522/ptj.20060178 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 87 (8) ◽

pp. 1047-1055 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Margareta L Sandberg ◽

Matilda K Sandberg ◽

Johanna Dahl

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Nerve Stimulation ◽

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

Muscle Blood Flow ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Trapezius Muscle ◽

Sensory Level ◽

Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

To Receive ◽

Level 2

Background and Purpose: Various researchers have studied the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on hemodynamics. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of TENS on local blood flow in the trapezius muscle and overlying skin. Subjects: Thirty-three women who were healthy, aged 25 to 55 years, were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 3 different modes of TENS. Methods: Skin and muscle blood flow were monitored noninvasively using a new application of photoplethysmography for 15 minutes of TENS applied at high frequency (80 Hz) and sensory-level intensity and at low frequency (2 Hz) and motor-level intensity and for 15 minutes after stimulation. Subliminal 80-Hz TENS was used as a control. Blood flow was monitored simultaneously on stimulated and nonstimulated shoulders. Results: Blood flow in the trapezius muscle, but not skin blood flow, increased significantly with motor-level 2-Hz TENS, whereas no increase occurred with sensory-level 80-Hz TENS or subliminal 80-Hz TENS. Discussion and Conclusion: Muscle contractions induced by motor-level 2-Hz TENS appear to be a prerequisite for increasing blood flow in the trapezius muscle. However, high stimulation intensity may prevent increased blood flow in the overlying skin.

Download Full-text

Relation of local skin temperature and local sweating to cutaneous blood flow

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1963.18.4.781 ◽

1963 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 781-785 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Leo C. Senay ◽

Leon D. Prokop ◽

Leslie Cronau ◽

Alrick B. Hertzman

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Skin Temperature ◽

Sweat Gland ◽

Cutaneous Blood Flow ◽

Local Skin ◽

Cutaneous Vasodilatation ◽

Local Skin Temperature ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

Cutaneous Blood

The relationship of local skin temperature and the onset of sweating to the local cutaneous blood flow was studied in the forearm and calf. The purpose of the investigation was to appraise the possible relation of sweat gland activity to the cutaneous vasodilatation which has been attributed to bradykinin or to intracranial temperatures. The onset of sweating was not marked by any apparently related increases in the rate of cutaneous blood flow. On the contrary, the onset of sweating was followed often by a stabilization or even a decrease in the level of cutaneous blood flow. The relations of the latter to the local skin temperature were complex, particularly in the forearm. There appeared to be additional unidentified influences, possibly vasomotor, operating on the skin vessels during transitional phases in the relation of skin temperature to blood flow. Submitted on October 15, 1962

Download Full-text