A Study on effect of Conventional TENS on Salivation

This study is the extension of physiotherapy services to dentistry. Saliva is critical fluid necessary for oral health. Medications, Radiation therapy to head & neck cancers, and Autoimmune disorders such as Sjogren's syndrome can decrease salivary function (Xerostomia) and increase a patients risk for caries and other oral infections. Palliative management of Xerostomia includes wetting agents such as ice chips and saliva substitutes. Systemic agents stimulate salivary flow but often have unfavorable side effects. TENS is a modality very commonly used by Physiotherapists & is well known for the analgesic effects. In this study we have explored a different domain of TENS & have studied its effect on salivation.

Experimental

Sixty healthy, adult in the age group between 20 to 40 with no history of salivary gland disorder enrolled in the protocol. They were assigned randomly to one of the two treatment groups. Unstimulated saliva was collected for 5 minutes via expectoration method for both groups into measuring cylinder using standardized collection techniques.

Group I (n=30) received TENS

The parotid glands were stimulated bilaterally for 5 minutes with TENS & saliva was collected during the period of stimulation & 30 minutes post stimulation & 24 hours post stimulation.

Group II (n=30) were Control group and did not receive any TENS. The same procedure for collecting saliva was followed for the control group.

Group I was the only group that had statistically significant increase in salivation. Also there was a statistical significance when between groups comparison was done

High frequency, low intensity TENS was effective in increasing salivary flow in healthy adult subjects.