The effect of transcutaneous
electric nerve stimulation in patients with therapy-resistant
hypertension.
Jacobsson F, Himmelmann A, Bergbrant
A, Svensson A, Mannheimer C.
Department of Medicine,
Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Ostra, Goteborg,
Sweden.
OBJECTIVES: Afferent nerve stimulation, such as
acupuncture and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), has
shown a blood pressure reduction in both animal and man. In the present
open and non-controlled study we investigated the effect on 24-h
ambulatory blood pressure of low frequency TENS in a group of
hypertensive subjects who do not respond properly to pharmacological
treatment. METHOD: Twelve patients were investigated. The patients were
treated with TENS at two acupoints on both forearms for 30 min twice
daily during 4 weeks. 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was
recorded 1 week before, at start, at the end and finally 1 week after
the TENS treatment. RESULTS: The blood pressure did not change
significantly during the run-in period. After 4 weeks of TENS, the mean
systolic blood pressure decreased by 6.3 mm Hg (P < 0.05) and the
mean diastolic blood pressure decreased by 3.7 mm Hg (P < 0.05). The
blood pressure reduction remained unchanged 1 week after treatment.
There was no change in mean heart rate. CONCLUSION: The present study
suggests that continuous TENS may have additional blood
pressure-lowering properties in hypertensive patients who do not respond
properly to pharmacological treatment. The effect of TENS may also have
a prolonged effect. Journal of Human Hypertension (2000) 14,
795-798