Análise da dosagem de serotonina sistêmica após aplicação da eletroestimulação nervosa transcutânea (TENS) de alta e baixa freqüência: um estudo piloto

Abstract

Objective: To verify the level of liberation of the systemic serotonin after the administration of TENS of high and low frequency and determine which of these modes is the most efficacious for such liberation. Methods: nineteen adult women aged 19 to 33 were used in this study. They were health, sedentary and irregulary active. They all received a TENS electric stimulation of 100Hz and of 4Hz on alternate days and which was administered on their hand trough a pair of carbonated silicone electrodes positioned in parallel on the tenar and hypotenar eminences. The dosage of serotonin was checked before and right after the electrical stimulation. All the exams followed the same protocol of analysis under the responsibility of laboratory Pasteur. Results: A statistically significant difference was only observed when a high frequency electric stimulation was used. Conclusion: When compared to the TENS of low frequency, the TENS of high frequency showed itself more efficacious for the liberation of systemic serotonin in healthy, young and sedentary women.