COMPARISON OF SENSORY THRESHOLD CHANGES AND COLD PAIN RESPONSE BETWEEN TENS AND SCRAMBLER THERAPY

초록

Introduction: Cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation changes sensory thresholds. Scrambler therapy (ST) has been used to alleviate the pain associated with cancer and neuropathic disorders such as herpes zoster; however, its effects on the sensory threshold have not been reported. Objectives: To compare two electrical tools used to control pain, TENS (high frequency) and ST. Methods: Forty three healthy volunteers (Age range, 21-67 yrs, number of males 18) were recruited. First, tolerance to non-harmful ice-induced pain was tested; an ice cube was applied to the forearm and cold perception, cold pain perception, and cold pain endurance were measured. Next, cold and warm sensory threshold changes between TENS and ST were compared with CASE IV. Electrical stimulation was administered over 30 min. Sensory thresholds were measured at baseline, just after application and 1 hr later. Each test was repeated after a 48 hour wash out period, in the same subjects. Results: For the ice cube application, the ST changed the cold pain perception, cold pain endurance, and VAS (p < 0.05). The TENS changed the cold sense perception and face pain scale (p < 0.05). However, the differences between ST and TENS were not significant (p > 0.05). In addition, after the administration of ST and TENS, the cold and warm thresholds were changed from baseline during and after 1 hr; the difference was significant (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between ST and TENS. Conclusions: The pain tolerance and sensory threshold changes of ST were similar to TENS.