Soleus H-reflex modulation following transcutaneous high- and low-frequency spinal stimulation in healthy volunteers

Abstract

The main aim of this work was to investigate the difference in the excitability of the soleus H-reflex in healthy volunteers following spinal transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and high-frequency alternating current (HFAC) at a frequency of 10 kHz applied at the lower thoracic spinal level (T10–T12). A double-blind, randomized, crossover, controlled clinical trial was designed. Participants received three randomized interventions (TENS, 10 kHz, and sham stimulation) during 40 min. The amplitude and latency of the soleus H-reflex were registered prior to, during, and 10 min following stimulation. Twenty-four participants completed the study. A significant inhibition of H-reflex amplitude was observed following transcutaneous spinal TENS (12.7%; 95% CI 1.5–22.2%) when compared with sham stimulation (5.5%; 95% CI 3.6–14.5%; p = 0.03). An increase in H-reflex latency was also observed following transcutaneous spinal stimulation at 10 kHz (2%; 95% CI 1.4–2.5%) as compared with sham stimulation (0.7%; 95% CI 0.07–1.3%; p < 0.01). No differences were found between TENS and 10 kHz for H-reflex modulation. Transcutaneous spinal TENS and HFAC at a frequency of 10 kHz had a modulatory effect on the soleus H-reflex when compared to sham stimulation; however, no differences were found between these two interventions.