Transcutaneous sympathetic stimulation: effects of autonomic nervous function

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Physiology
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a widely adopted therapy for painful disorders.
• While generally safe with minor side effects like skin irritation, its physiological impact on vascular function requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of TENS on hand skin temperature and digital artery pulsation.
• To compare these effects in healthy volunteers and patients with alcoholic peripheral neuropathy.

Main Methods:

• Utilized thermocouples and a thermovision camera to measure skin temperature changes.
• Employed Doppler ultrasound to record digital artery pulsation.
• Applied TENS to the ulnar nerve and digital nerves in 6 healthy volunteers and 3 patients with neuropathy.

Main Results:

• Observed profound skin cooling and decreased arterial pulsation in healthy volunteers following TENS, persisting post-stimulation.
• No significant digital arterial changes were detected in patients with alcoholic peripheral neuropathy.

Conclusions:

• TENS can induce significant, albeit temporary, peripheral vasoconstriction in healthy individuals.
• The absence of these vascular effects in patients with alcoholic peripheral neuropathy may indicate impaired autonomic or vascular responses to TENS.