• S F Wang, Y W Chen, and B C Shyu.
• School of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Republic of China.
• Phys Ther. 1997 Aug 1; 77 (8): 839-47.

Background And PurposeThe aim of this investigation was to study the effect of electrical stimulation on nociceptive responses within the lumbar levels of the rat spinal cord.MethodsA single high-energy thermal pulse produced by a surgical laser stimulator (5 W, 30 milliseconds) was applied on the plantar surface of the hind paws of male Sprague-Dawley rats. The spinal cord field potential evoked by the laser pulse was used as an indicator of thermosensitive nociceptive responses. Low-intensity single stimulation, high-intensity single stimulation, low-intensity train stimulation, and high-intensity train stimulation were applied on the common peroneal nerve with protected cuff electrodes in different trials.ResultsNeither low-intensity nor high-intensity single stimulation suppressed field potentials. In contrast, low-intensity train stimulation elicited partial inhibition of field potentials. Furthermore, high-intensity train stimulation elicited biphasic inhibition at a wider range of intervals lasting for 20 seconds.Conclusion And DiscussionThe results demonstrate that two modes of train electrical stimulation can produce two patterns of fast-onset (within milliseconds), short-duration (within 20 seconds) inhibition of field potentials in the spinal cord. These results provide evidence that noxious heat-related impulses are modulated by the presence of specific electrical stimulation. The clinical application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to block pain is supported.

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