Acute Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on Grip Strength and Manual Dexterity

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of conventional Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on grip strength and manual dexterity in healthy young adults. Materials and Methods: Twenty-nine healthy young adults participated in this non-randomized, sham-controlled crossover trial. TENS and sham TENS were administered in separate sessions. Grip strength was measured with a hand dynamometer before stimulation, during stimulation, immediately after stimulation, and 15 minutes after stimulation; manual dexterity of the dominant hand was assessed using the Purdue Pegboard Test before and after stimulation (within 2–5 minutes). The data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: Manual dexterity increased significantly over time in both the TENS and sham conditions. However, no significant change in grip strength was observed over time. The condition × time interaction was p = 0.140 for grip strength and p = 0.343 for manual dexterity; neither interaction was significant for either outcome variable. These findings indicate that the increase in manual dexterity is not specific to TENS. Conclusion: A single session of conventional TENS administered to healthy young adults did not result in significantly greater acute improvements in grip strength or manual dexterity than sham application. Therefore, the present findings do not demonstrate a TENS-specific acute effect on hand motor performance.

Keywords

• Grip strength
• purdue pegboard
• transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

Supporting Institution

This research was funded by the Scientific Research Projects (BAP) unit of Süleyman Demirel University under the student projects program (Project ID: 10098) and is an output of the project entitled “Acute Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on Grip Strength and Hand Function”.

Project Number

10098

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Süleyman Demirel University Health Sciences Ethics Committee (Date: 03.11.2025, decision no: 105/27). The study was explained to all participants, and written informed consent was obtained; the process was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Thanks

We would like to thank Nurgül AKKAN, a student in the physical therapy program, for her support of this research, and the students from Süleyman Demirel University who volunteered to participate in the study for their contributions.

Transkutanöz Elektriksel Sinir Stimülasyonunun (TENS) Kavrama Kuvveti ve El Becerisi Üzerindeki Akut Etkileri

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, sağlıklı genç yetişkinlerde uygulanan konvansiyonel Transkutanöz Elektriksel Sinir Stimülasyonu’nun (TENS) kavrama kuvveti ve el becerisi üzerindeki akut etkilerini incelemektir. Materyal ve Metot: Randomize olmayan, sham kontrollü çapraz geçişli olarak tasarlanan bu çalışmaya 29 sağlıklı genç yetişkin dahil edilmiştir. Kavrama kuvveti, stimülasyondan önce, stimülasyon sırasında, stimülasyondan hemen sonra ve stimülasyondan 15 dakika sonra el dinamometresi ile, dominant elin el becerisi, stimülasyon öncesinde ve sonrasında (2–5 dakika içinde) Purdue Pegboard Testi kullanılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Veriler, tekrarlı ölçümler için varyans analizi ile analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular: El becerisi, hem TENS hem de sham koşulunda zamanla anlamlı biçimde artmıştır. Kavrama kuvvetinde ise zaman içinde anlamlı bir değişiklik saptanmamıştır. Durum × zaman etkileşimi kavrama kuvveti için p = 0,140, el becerisi için p = 0,343 olup her iki sonuç değişkeninde de anlamlı bulunmamıştır. Bu bulgular, el becerisindeki artışın TENS’e özgü olmadığını göstermektedir. Sonuç: Sağlıklı genç yetişkinlerde tek seanslık konvansiyonel TENS uygulaması, sham uygulamaya kıyasla kavrama kuvveti ve el becerisinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir üstünlük sağlamamıştır. Bu bulgular, çalışma koşulları altında TENS’in el motor performansı üzerinde özgül bir akut etkisi olmadığını göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Kavrama kuvveti
• purdue pegboard
• transkutanöz elektriksel sinir stimülasyonu

Supporting Institution

Bu araştırma, Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri (BAP) birimi tarafından öğrenci projeleri programı kapsamında (Proje Kimliği: 10098) finanse edilmiş olup, "Transkutan Elektrik Sinir Stimülasyonunun (TENS) Kavrama Gücü ve El Fonksiyonu Üzerindeki Akut Etkileri" başlıklı projenin bir çıktısıdır.

Project Number

10098

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma, Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Etik Komitesi tarafından onaylandı (Tarih: 03.11.2025, karar no: 27/105). Çalışma tüm katılımcılara açıklandı ve yazılı bilgilendirilmiş onayı alındı; süreç, Helsinki Bildirgesi'nin ilkelerine uygun olarak yürütüldü.

Thanks

Fizik tedavi programında öğrenci olan Nurgül AKKAN'a bu araştırmaya verdiği destek için ve çalışmaya gönüllü katılan Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi öğrencilerine katkıları için teşekkür etmek isteriz.

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