IADR Abstract Archives
Effects of Repetition and Temperature on Contingent Electrical Stimulation
Objectives: Background: Contingent electrical stimulation (CES) of the facial skin has been shown to reduce electromyographic (EMG) activity associated with bruxism. Repetition of the electrical stimulus and skin surface temperature (ST) may affect the perception of CES and possibly also the inhibitory EMG effects.
Objectives: To determine the effects of stimulus repetition and skin ST on the perception of CES.
Methods: Methods: Healthy participants (n=14, 7 males, 7 females) were included. CES was applied to the anterior temporalis muscle with a surface electrode using a portable EMG device (GrindCare®). The participants rated the perceived sensation using a 0-50-100 numerical rating scale (NRS) immediately after the stimulus. NRS = “0” represented “no sensation at all”, “50” “just barely painful” and “100” “the worst pain imaginable”. All the participants were scheduled for one single session in which the effects of A) repetition and B) temperature were tested. A: A total of 30 consecutive electrical stimuli were divided into 3 series. Each series had 10 different intensities (0-9 intensity) and the order of the different intensities was randomized. B: A similar design as “A” was used and repeated with three different skin ST: room temperature (32.6±0.8°C), cold (17.0±3.3°C) and hot (41.9±2.6°C). The order of the different temperatures was randomized with a 15 min interval in-between. ANOVA tests were used for statistical analyses. The study was approved by the regional ethical committee.
Results: Results: Overall, this study showed that higher stimulus intensities caused increases in NRS scores (P<0.01). Moreover, NRS scores increased significantly with increases in skin ST (P<0.01) and repetitions were associated with decreases in NRS scores (P<0.03).
Conclusions: Conclusion: This study demonstrates that skin surface temperature and repetition of the CES may alter the perceived intensity and therefore could have an effect on the inhibitory potential of the EMG activity.
Objectives: To determine the effects of stimulus repetition and skin ST on the perception of CES.
Methods: Methods: Healthy participants (n=14, 7 males, 7 females) were included. CES was applied to the anterior temporalis muscle with a surface electrode using a portable EMG device (GrindCare®). The participants rated the perceived sensation using a 0-50-100 numerical rating scale (NRS) immediately after the stimulus. NRS = “0” represented “no sensation at all”, “50” “just barely painful” and “100” “the worst pain imaginable”. All the participants were scheduled for one single session in which the effects of A) repetition and B) temperature were tested. A: A total of 30 consecutive electrical stimuli were divided into 3 series. Each series had 10 different intensities (0-9 intensity) and the order of the different intensities was randomized. B: A similar design as “A” was used and repeated with three different skin ST: room temperature (32.6±0.8°C), cold (17.0±3.3°C) and hot (41.9±2.6°C). The order of the different temperatures was randomized with a 15 min interval in-between. ANOVA tests were used for statistical analyses. The study was approved by the regional ethical committee.
Results: Results: Overall, this study showed that higher stimulus intensities caused increases in NRS scores (P<0.01). Moreover, NRS scores increased significantly with increases in skin ST (P<0.01) and repetitions were associated with decreases in NRS scores (P<0.03).
Conclusions: Conclusion: This study demonstrates that skin surface temperature and repetition of the CES may alter the perceived intensity and therefore could have an effect on the inhibitory potential of the EMG activity.