ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The neuroselective transcutaneous electrical stimulator (NTES) can provoke itch and/or pain by the application of a 5-Hz alternating current. OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine whether there is any difference in the perception of the stimulus evoked by the NTES between patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and healthy control subjects. METHODS: In all, 24 healthy control subjects and 24 patients with AD (nonlesional skin) were stimulated on 7 body sites using the NTES. Qualitative differences in the evoked perceptions and quantitative differences in the current intensity required to evoke perception were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The NTES preferentially evoked itch in patients with AD. The current perception threshold was statistically lower in AD than in healthy control subjects on 3 body sites. LIMITATIONS: Tests were performed on limited body areas. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that the NTES can reveal neuronal sensitization to itch in nonlesional atopic skin.
Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Atopic/complications , Dermatitis, Atopic/physiopathology , Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation , Female , Humans , Male , Nervous System/physiopathology , Neurons , Pain/physiopathology , Pruritus/physiopathology , Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation/methods , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Electrically evoked itch has been reported, although the electrodes, the frequency, and the pulse duration used were not standardized. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether a neuroselective transcutaneous electrical stimulator (NTES; Neurometer; Neurotron, Inc, Baltimore, Md) can evoke itch and whether it can provoke itch on any body area. METHODS: Twelve healthy subjects were stimulated on 30 body sites by 5 Hz alternating current produced by the NTES. We classified the evoked perceptions into two sensations (with and without itch) and divided the examined sites into 7 groups: G1, head and neck; G2, arm; G3, palm; G4, the dorsal surface of the hand; G5, knee and leg; G6, dorsal foot; and G7, ankle. The data were then statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The NTES preferentially evoked itch at the G4 and G7 sites, and a sensation without itch at the G1 site. LIMITATION: Tests were performed on limited body areas. CONCLUSION: The NTES can provoke itch, it was discovered that there are body area-specific differences in itch sensation.
