GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE SENSITIVE THRESHOLD TO ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION IN YOUNG ADULTS

Objective: To investigate gender differences in neuronal sensory threshold (NS) for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) among young adults, and the probable effects of thermotherapy. Methods: 30 young healthy students (15 men and 15 women) with 22+/-2 years old were divided by gender. TENS was applied in both right and left knees of subjects with a frequency of 20 Hz and pulse duration of 230 mu s. The amplitude of the electric current (m(sic)) was gradually increased to record the perception threshold (ST) and tolerance threshold (TT), before/after thermotherapy. The warm R-knee was performed by infrared light (250W) approximate to 70cm perpendicular, and cooling L-knee with icepack, both carried out for 15 minutes. The tissue temperature was recorded by digital thermometry. The data were analyzed and differences established at p<0.05. Results: The tissue temperature after heat treatments was different (P <= 0.05) between genders. The basal ST for TENS was not different between genders, however, thermotherapy raised the NS in both men and women. At the baseline TT was lower (p <= 0.05) in women, however, after thermotherapy it increased (p <= 0.05) in both sexes. Conclusion: Neuronal sensory threshold for TENS is gender- thermo-dependent in healthy young adults.