The effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on sympathetic skin response

The aim of present study was to determine whether combination of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and acupuncture inhibits sympathetic nerve activity in healthy humans. Multiunit efferent postganglionic sympathetic activity was recorded with Toennies set. In this study, the aim was to obtain latency, amplitude and duration of sympathetic skin response (SSR) and skin temperature (ST) from both hands in 15 healthy subjects. Subjects randomly assigned and everybody participated in all the three groups [Control Group (CG), Acupuncture Group (AG) and Nerve Stimulation Group (NSG)]. TENS (2 Hz, 250 microsecond) was applied over the median nerve of the right elbow in NSG for 20 min, either, TENS was applied over (HE-7) point of the right hand in CG (TENS off) and AG (TENS on) for 20 min. SSR (lat, amp, dur) and ST data was recorded before TENS and for immediate, 5 min and 10 min post--TENS. ST was recorded in distal phalanx of index finger of both hands and SSR was recorded from both hands. TENS in CG did not affect ST and SSR following stimulation. TENS applied at AG and NSG caused a significant increase in ST (P = 0.001), significant increase in latency of SSR (P = 0.001), significant decrease in amplitude of SSR (P = 0.001) and no significant changes were observed in duration of SSR (P > 0.05). Then statistical analysis showed differences between both of groups (AG & NSG) for ST and SSR post--TENS. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation inhibits sympathetic nerve activity in healthy humans.