Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and the reaction to experimental pain in human subjects

The effect of peripheral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the reaction to experimental pain in human volunteers has been assessed. Placebo stimulation and electrical stimulation at moderate intensities failed to modify the response to the pain produced by conducted thermal stimuli. TENS at very high intensities did however elevate both the thermal pain threshold and the tolerance temperature. TENS at moderate intensities failed completely to alter the response to graded mechanical stimuli. The subjective pain assessment and the maximum pain tolerance produced by ischaemic pain after a submaximal effort tourniquet test were significantly modified by peripheral electrical stimulation at non-noxious intensities. The response to experimental pain can therefore be altered in man by peripheral electrical stimulation in a manner partly dependent on the sensory modality used for producing the experimental pain and on the intensity of the electrical stimulation.