Touch and Pain Sensations in Diadynamic Current (DD) and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): A Randomized Study.

The study investigated touch and pain sensations and the correlation between them in diadynamic current (DD) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), electrotherapies commonly applied in musculoskeletal disorders and occupational rehabilitation medicine. Forty healthy subjects were treated with either DD (n=20) or TENS (n=20). Each treatment consisted of three sessions with one-week interval. Touch sensation was determined with the JVP Domes esthesiometer, pain sensation with pressure pain threshold (PPT), and pressure pain tolerance threshold (PPTO) by an algometer. During each session the measurements were performed before the application of the procedure (T0), immediately after it (T1), and 30 minutes after the end of the procedure (T2). Both DD and TENS increased touch sensation (p<0.01) and did not significantly alter PPT and PPTO (p>0.05). No statistically significant differences in short-term effects, i.e., 3 weeks of the trial, were noted between DD and TENS in their influence on touch and pain sensations (p>0.05). There was a high significant correlation between touch and pain sensations in DD (r=0.86). TENS and DD caused similar analgesic effects. DD, which is shorter in the duration of the treatment, may comprise a realistic alternative to TENS in clinical practice of pain management.

Static and dynamic plantar pressure distribution in amateur marathon runners.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to compare the static and dynamic plantar pressure profiles of amateur marathon runners with sedentary cohorts. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: Are there differences in the plantar pressures of these two populations? Is there a correlation between body mass and BMI with plantar loading? METHODS: The study involved 43 runners involved in marathon training and 30 age-matched untrained individuals. Plantar pressure was measured using a baropodometric system. RESULTS: The marathon runners showed greater forefoot plantar pressure of the dominant extremity in the static condition and reduced medial plantar pressure of both extremities in the dynamic condition. A correlation was observed between body mass and BMI with mean plantar pressure only in the marathon group and only for the dominant extremity in the dynamic condition. CONCLUSIONS: Marathon training may modify the forefoot plantar loading characteristics of the dominant extremity during static conditions and increase lateral plantar pressure of both extremities in a dynamic (gait) condition.

Assessment of the efficacy of topical anesthetics using the tactile spatial resolution method.

The aim of this study was to compare the purported advantages of 4% tetracaine gel (Ametop gel) and 4% liposomal lidocaine gel (LMX4 gel) with EMLA cream (eutectic mixture of 2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% prilocaine) using an objective and repeatable method. Ametop gel and LMX4 gel were administered under occlusion for 30 min and compared to EMLA cream applied for 30 and 60 min on the intact upper lip skin of 15 volunteers each. The efficacy of the anesthetics was assessed by the spatial resolution method. Measurements were conducted just after removal of the products from the skin, then 20, 40 and 60 min later. Each of the formulations, except for EMLA cream applied for 30 min, decreased tactile spatial discrimination thresholds significantly just after removal from the skin when compared to the output levels (p<0.05). Ametop gel kept significantly good skin anesthesia also 20, 40 and 60 min later (p<0.05). The efficacy of LMX4 gel and EMLA(60) cream decreased to the initial levels after 40-min application. Ametop gel anesthetized the skin in a highly homogeneous manner providing similar effect in most subjects, which was not the case in the EMLA and LMX4 groups. In conclusion, LMX4 gel and Ametop gel appeared to be faster acting than EMLA cream. Our results showed the 30-min application of LMX4 and Ametop gel under occlusion to be equivalent to 60-min administration of EMLA cream. Ametop gel, in contrast to the rest, provides very good anesthesia for up to 60 min. The application of EMLA cream under occlusion over only 30 min cannot guarantee appropriate effects.

Effectiveness of diadynamic currents and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in disc disease lumbar part of spine.

BACKGROUND: Back pain has multi-factorial etiology and is modified by environmental influences, character of work, and individual predispositions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of analgesic DD current therapy and TENS in low back discopathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty patients (age, 45-60 years) with diagnosed low back pain syndrome due to discopathy were subjected to therapy. In the first group (DD) of 40 people, DD current therapy was applied. In the second group (TENS) of 40 people, TENS was applied. The third group of 40 people was a control group in which a functional fitness test was performed for comparison purposes. The control group was in this case an equivalent to a norm. Before the beginning and on the completion of therapy in all patients, a pain level measurement and functional fitness test were performed. RESULTS: On the basis of research conducted it was stated that both therapies reduce pain level effectively. Obtained analyzed results conclude that both therapies applied have an analgesic effect. CONCLUSIONS: DD current and TENS therapies in low back discopathy have an analgesic impact and improve functional fitness. The applied therapies have a comparable impact on researched parameters.