- 期刊
經皮神經電刺激對皮表溫度的影響
The Effect of Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation on Local Skin Temperature
摘要
先前研究指出經皮神經電刺激能促進慢性傷口的癒合，其中一項可能機轉為增加皮膚微循環的血流量。本研究探討經皮神經電刺激對皮膚溫度的影響。利用紅外線溫度攝影儀器進行二維區域性的皮表溫度測量，紀錄經皮神經電刺激後六個不同區域的皮膚溫度。本研究共收集有12名受試者，每位都分別接受控制組、感覺閾值、運動閾值下、運動閾值上四種不同強度的經皮神經電刺激。結果顯示若接受在運動閾值以下的刺激電量各區域皮膚並沒有顯著的溫度上升，只有接受運動閾值上的電刺激會在電極近端區域造成局部溫度上升，故在本研究中經皮神經電刺激對溫度提升的作用區域僅侷限在電極的附近區域，對遠端沒有溫度血流提升的效應。綜合以上結果，可知運動閾值上強度的經皮神經電刺激使得局部皮膚溫度上升，其作用的機轉可能是因為局部肌肉收縮造成血液循環增加。因此我們如果要利用經皮神經電刺激來提升皮膚的血流及溫度，應使用運動閾值上的強度，電極擺設的原則為選擇局部有可供刺激肌肉的部位較為適合。
並列摘要
Previous reports have shown that transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) can accelerate the rate of chronic wound healing, but the mechanism for such is unknown. It has been proposed that TENS may enhance healing by increasing cutaneous blood flow. In the present study, we investigated the effects of TENS on local skin temperature. Infrared thermography was used to measure the changes of local skin temperature after treatment with TENS. Twelve subjects, 6 men and 6 women, were enrolled and underwent the following four different TENS modes in random sequences: (1) sham stimulation (control), (2) perception threshold TENS, (3) below motor threshold TENS, and (4) above motor threshold TENS. No significant difference in skin temperature occurred when subjects received TENS below the motor threshold. In contrast, when above motor threshold TENS was administered, the local temperature increased proximally, but decreased distally. The effects of TENS on blood flow and temperature is limited to local areas. Taken together, these data suggest that the above motor threshold TENS-induced local temperature effect is possibly due to a muscle contraction-coupled rise in blood flow. Thus, when TENS is applied for the purpose of increasing skin temperature or blood flow, the above motor threshold should be used. Furthermore, the electrodes should be placed over the proximal parts of the muscles that are to be stimulated.