• F L Cramp, G Noble, A S Lowe, D M Walsh, and J C Willer.
• Rehabilitation Sciences Research Group, School of Health Sciences, University of Ulster at Jordanstown, Northern Ireland.
• Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2000 Mar 1; 81 (3): 324-33.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential therapy (IFT) upon the RIII nociceptive reflex and H-reflex.DesignDouble-blind conditions.ParticipantsSeventy 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).InterventionIn the treatment groups, stimulation was applied over the right sural nerve for 15 minutes.Main Outcome MeasuresIpsilateral 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).ResultsStatistical analysis using ANOVA showed no significant differences between baseline and posttreatment measurement for RIII reflex, H-reflex, or VAS data.ConclusionThese 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.

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