Psychophysical scale of perception levels in neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)

• Published in: European journal of integrative medicine Vol. 5; no. 3; pp. 279 - 283
• Main Authors: Albornoz-Cabello, Manuel, Maya-Martín, Julián, Toledo-Marhuenda, Jose Vicente, Dominguez-Maldonado, Gabriel, del Mar Sánchez-Joya, María, Castro-Sánchez, Adelaida María
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier GmbH 01-06-2013
• Subjects: Electric stimulation therapy; Physical therapy; Psychophysics; Sensory thresholds; Electric stimulation therapy; Sensory thresholds; Psychophysics; Physical therapy
• ISSN: 1876-3820; 1876-3839
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2013.01.004

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a physical therapy to strengthen muscles by means of electric currents and is becoming widely applied to healthy individuals, especially those involve in sports. Symmetrical biphasic rectangular currents are the most frequently used, because they have no polarity or adverse effects and are available in portable electrotherapy devices.
The objective of this study was to create a psychophysical scale of perception levels in neuromuscular electrical stimulation with symmetrical biphasic rectangular currents.
An observational descriptive study was performed to create a psychophysical scale, studying thresholds for sensitivity, contraction, and tolerance levels. Each of these three levels was tested in 150 healthy individuals (93 females, 57 males). Two different examiners performed a total of 900 measurements (300 per level). Single-factor repeated measures ANOVAs were performed to study between-subject and within-subject agreement in order to test the validity and reliability of the measurements.
Thresholds for both sexes were: sensitivity level of 6.7–7.2±1mA, contraction level of 23.2±24.6mA, and tolerance level of 42.1–43.7±2.5mA.
This psychophysical scale of perception levels of symmetrical biphasic rectangular currents provides a valid and reliable instrument for utilization during initial NMES sessions.