A controlled study on the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and interferential therapy upon the RIII nociceptive and H-reflexes in humans.

Abstract

To study the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential therapy (IFT) upon the RIII nociceptive reflex and H-reflex. Double-blind conditions. Seventy healthy subjects were randomly allocated to one of seven groups (n = 10 per group): Control, TENS 1 (5 Hz), TENS 2 (100 Hz), TENS 3 (200 Hz), IFT 1 (5 Hz), IFT 2 (100 Hz), IFT 3 (200 Hz). In the treatment groups, stimulation was applied over the right sural nerve for 15 minutes. Ipsilateral RIII and H-reflexes were recorded before treatment, immediately after treatment, and subsequently at 25, 35, and 45 minutes. Subjects rated the pain associated with the RIII reflex using a computerized visual analogue scale (VAS). Statistical analysis using ANOVA showed no significant differences between baseline and posttreatment measurement for RIII reflex, H-reflex, or VAS data. These results suggest that neither type of electrical stimulation (TENS or IFT) affects the RIII or H-reflexes, at least using the parameters and application time in this study.