TENS can be used as a new tool in diagnosing vibration sense for early detection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Abstract

Introduction: When diabetes mellitus is diagnosed, peripheral neuropathy is present in about 20 % of cases. Using electric current for nerve activation to relieve pain known as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a process in which electrical impulses proceed through intact skin targeting nerves beneath, so it is considered as a peripheral stimulation technique. Materials and Methods: 100 patients in 2 parallel groups. Result: The results show a statistically significant difference between diabetic patients and control by using TENS in which there is significant decrease in vibration sense in diabetic patients in comparison to control. Conclusion: DPN (Dermatosis papulosa nigra) is very common in diabetic patients but it may take a long time to be diagnosed. This may lead to life threatening complications, like amputation. So it is critical to find new ways of diagnosing DPN early. TENS may be considered as a new way of evaluating DPN.