Comparison of Cold Pain Response and Sensory Threshold Changes between TENS and Calmare Pain Therapy

초록

Objective: It has been known that cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) changes sensory thresholds. Calmare Pain Therapy (CPT) has been introduced 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. This study aimed to compare two different electrical therapies used to control pain; TENS (high frequency) and CPT. Method: Forty three healthy volunteers (age range, 21-67 yrs, number of males 18) were recruited. First, for the comparison of cold pain tolerance, an ice cube was applied to the forearm of each subject and we measured cold perception, cold pain perception (measured by VAS), and cold pain endurance. Next, cold and warm sensory threshold changes of TENS and CPT were measured with CASE IV. Each electrical stimulation therapy was administered over 30 min. Sensory thresholds were measured at baseline, just after application and 1 hr later. The cross over study was done in the same subjects with TENS and CPT after a 48 hour wash out period. Results: For the ice cube application, the CPT changed the cold pain perception, cold pain endurance, and VAS (p＜ 0.05). The TENS changed the cold sense perception (p＜0.05). However, the differences between the CPT and TENS were not significant (p＞0.05). In addition, after the administration of CPT 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 CPT and TENS. Conclusion: The pain tolerance and sensory threshold changes of CPT were similar to TENS. And CPT therapy would be applied for the innovative method to control pain.