Article

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is one of the therapies for
painful neuropathy. Its analgesic mechanisms probably involve the gate control
theory, the physiological block and the endogenous pain inhibitory system.
The aim of the study was to determine whether TENS improves small fibre function
diminished because of painful diabetic neuropathy. Forty-six patients with
painful diabetic neuropathy were treated with TENS three consecutive hours a day
for 3 weeks. Treatment effect was evaluated with cold, warm, cold pain and heat
pain thresholds, vibration perception thresholds and touch perception thresholds.
In all patients, thermal-specific and thermal pain sensitivity determination
showed quantitative and qualitative abnormalities in all the measured spots.
After the TENS therapy, no statistically significant changes in cold, warm, cold
pain, heat pain, vibratory perception and touch perception thresholds were
observed in the stimulated area. TENS did not alter C, Adelta nor Abeta
fibre-mediated perception thresholds. The observed changes at thenar are probably
because of central mechanisms. In general, analgesic mechanisms of TENS are
likely to be complex.

Langue : ANGLAIS