Evaluation of transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation effects on muscular ability in dog: an animal model

ABSTRACT

Assessment of transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation effects on muscular repair and capability following sciatic nerve injury as animal model. Experimental study. Ten male and female 15-22 month-old mixed breed dogs between 18-23 kg body-weight. Animals were subsequently divided into two groups of [control and experimental] 5 dogs each. Then anesthesia was induced. Skin was incised and the muscular dissection performed. The right sciatic nerve was exposed in all dogs and crushed in full thickness using artery forceps for 5 seconds. The experimental group was subjected to of transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation [TENS] regimen, daily ten minutes for two weeks. The electromyography [EMG] was recorded from semimembranosus [SI], and semitendinosus [S2]; Extensors [Ext], and Flexors [Flex] muscles before, after crush, 14,28 and 45 post-operative day. Variance analysis by ANOVA and Tukey's test. EMG recording showed significant differences in muscle forced in SI and S2 in experimental group by comparison with control one. The evaluation of [TENS] showed to be helpful to reduce muscle atrophy