PMID: 6983335Dec 1, 1982Paper

Transcutaneous nerve stimulation in rheumatoid arthritis

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
V N Kumar, J B Redford

Abstract

This study of the effects of transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TNS) on 20 wrists of 11 men with rheumatoid arthritis was designd to make an objective assessment of pain and also to evaluate placebo effects. Following determinations of the length of time each wrist could support a small weight before pain began or increased (loading time), a 3-part test was conducted using the same weight in each case. (1) Each wrist was treated by TNS for 15 minutes and then, with the stimulator still on, loading time was determined (TNS-1). (2) With the stimulator working on the same wrist as for TNS-1, the loading time of the opposite wrist was determined (TNS-2). (3) To study placebo effect, loading time was again determined with the same adjustment on the stimulator but with the battery removed (TNS-3). If the loading time doubled or more, the pain relief was considered to be 100%. From the results (70% of the TNS-1 wrists had 50 to 100% pain relief; 10% of the TNS-2 and 15% of the TNS-3 wrists had some improvement), TNS appears to reduce joint pain and to offer a supplement to antiinflammatory drugs.

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.