Evoked sensations with transcutaneous electrical stimulation with different frequencies, waveforms, and electrode configurations
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2023-01
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Abstract
Background: Current Perception Threshold (CPT) is a technique used for diagnostic purposes that applies sinusoidal currents transcutaneously at 5 Hz, 250 Hz, and 2KHz to preferentially excite C, Aδ, and Aβ afferent nerve fibers correspondingly. This fact may be interesting for evoking different electrotactile sensations for a wide variety of applications. Methods: Sensations evoked by 5 Hz, 250 Hz, and 2KHz frequencies; sinusoidal, square, and 250 μs-pulsed waveforms; and conventional and concentric electrode configurations were analyzed in 19 healthy volunteers. Stimuli were applied in the dorsum of the hand in a double-blind manner and CPTs were defined based on participants' verbal feedback. After each stimulus participants filled in a form with sensation modality, irradiation, intensity, and emotion descriptors. Results: The frequency showed a significant effect on the four domains of evoked sensations and the waveform showed a significant effect on the modality domain. For most waveform and electrode configuration combinations, 5 Hz evoked mostly a low-intensity prickling sensation; 250 Hz mostly evoked an uncomfortable medium-intensity tingling sensation; and 2KHz mostly evoked a low-intensity tingling sensation. No thermal or noxious sensations were evoked. A significant interaction effect was only found between the frequency and the waveform factors. The electrode configuration did not show either a significant effect on the evoked sensations or an interaction effect with the frequency or waveform type. Conclusions: Transcutaneous electrical stimulation may evoke different sensations at different frequencies due to the preferential activation of different fiber types. The results of these analysis could be used to enhance human-machine/computer-interaction systems based on electrotactile feedback.
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Publisher Copyright: © 2022 International Center for Artificial Organ and Transplantation (ICAOT) and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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CPT , evoked sensation , perception , transcutaneous electrical stimulation , waveform , Evoked sensation , Perception , Transcutaneous electrical stimulation , Waveform , Bioengineering , Medicine (miscellaneous) , Biomaterials , Biomedical Engineering , Funding Info , This research was supported by grants of the Basque Government through the EXAMINA project (KK‐2019/00047). The authors want to thank Gabriel Gaminde Perez and Igone Idigoras for their technical support during the study and to the volunteers for their participation. , This research was supported by grants of the Basque Government through the EXAMINA project (KK‐2019/00047). The authors want to thank Gabriel Gaminde Perez and Igone Idigoras for their technical support during the study and to the volunteers for their participation.
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Imatz-Ojanguren , E , Keller , T & Imatz‐Ojanguren , E 2023 , ' Evoked sensations with transcutaneous electrical stimulation with different frequencies, waveforms, and electrode configurations ' , Artificial Organs , vol. 47 , no. 1 , pp. 117-128 . https://doi.org/10.1111/aor.14400