Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on peripheral to central blood pressure ratio in healthy subjects

Purpose To investigate the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the arterial stiffness in healthy young adult and middle-aged men using the augmentation index (AI-x) and hemodynamic measures. Methods Twenty-four men (12 aged 27.25 +/- 5.53 years and 12 aged 54.83 +/- 5.10 years) were randomly allocated to two subgroups: TENS or placebo in ganglion region for 45 min. The AI-x and hemodynamic measures [late systolic blood pressure (SBP), central blood pressure (CBP), difference between P1 and P2 (Delta P) and tension time index (TTI)] were determined before and after protocols. Results TENS resulted in reduction of SBP in younger adults (TENSpre: 111 +/- 2; post: 105 +/- 2.2 mm Hg; PLACEBOpre: 113 +/- 1.8; post: 114 +/- 2.5 mm Hg; GEE, P < 0.01), whereas no difference was found in middle-aged group. TENS also resulted in reduction of AI-x younger adults group (TENSpre: 56 +/- 2.8; post: 53 +/- 2%; PLACEBOpre: 55 +/- 3; post: 58 +/- 2.5%; GEE, P < 0.01). Delta P and TTI were significantly decreased after the application of TENS in both groups, but significantly greater reductions in TTI and the SBP/ CBP ratio were found in the group of younger adults. Conclusions The acute application of ganglion TENS attenuated arterial stiffness in younger adults as well as hemodynamic measures in the middle-aged group. This method could emerge as effective therapy for the management of arterial blood pressure.