Acute lower leg transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation increases leg blood flow and exercise capacity in patients with peripheral arterial disease.
Thomas K Pellinger, Catherine B Neighbors, Joshua C Hefta et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of two durations of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on blood flow and exercise capacity in seven patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Results indicated that both 15 and 45 minutes of TENS significantly increased post-treatment popliteal artery blood flow, vascular conductance, and 6-minute walk distance, suggesting that even short sessions can enhance leg blood flow and exercise capacity in this population.
Key findings
- Post-TENS popliteal artery blood flow increased significantly after both 15 and 45 minutes of stimulation.
- Vascular conductance also showed significant improvement following TENS treatment.
- The 6-minute walk distance increased significantly after TENS application.
- Both treatment durations (15 and 45 min) were effective in enhancing exercise capacity.
Why it matters
Enhancing blood flow and exercise capacity in patients with peripheral artery disease can improve their quality of life and functional mobility. This study suggests that TENS may be a viable non-invasive intervention to achieve these outcomes.