Objectivation of cerebral effects with a new continuous electrical auricular stimulation technique for pain management

Abstract

Aims: The electrical point stimulation system (P-STIM®) reflects a new, miniaturized system for pain therapy through ear acupuncture. For this reason, ultrathin needles were applied at the ear. The needles stimulate the acupuncture areas at the ear using electrical impulses, which come from a little generator applied behind the acupunctured ear.Methods: This study describes continuous, non-invasive measurements of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and multidirectional transcranial Doppler sonography in two healthy females (aged 23 and 27 years) during stimulation with P-STIM®, for the first time.Results: The results of the pilot measurements have shown that electrical point stimulation using the new electrical stimulation system on eye acupuncture points is able to modulate the mean blood flow velocity (vm) of the supratrochlear artery. These effects were present using a stimulation frequency of 100 Hz. A lower increase in vm was found in the middle cerebral artery. In addition, stimulus induced, quantifiable and reproducible alterations of the regional cerebral NIRS parameters were be detected.Conclusion: For the first time, P-Stim® allows intermittent ear acupuncture stimulation for up to several days in combination with complete mobility for the patient.