Effect of TENS on cognition, behavior and memory in normal elderly persons

Abstract

Objective : To study the effect of TENS over the temporal areas regarding cognition, behavior and memory in normal elderly persons. Design Experimental study with control group.

Materials and Method : Normal elderly subjects age 50 years and over were recruited in the study. They were either allocated into experimental and control group. All patients of both groups were stimulated with TENS on both sides of the temporal areas for 10 min per day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks. The control group received sham stimulation at the same site of stimulation on their head. The Thai Adaptation of the ABCD was applied before and after the test.

Results : Thirty-six elderly subjects (ranging 52 - 84 years old) were either allocated into experimental and control group of 23 and 13 subjects, respectively. There was no statistical difference between pretest and post-test of ABCD scores in the control group, but there was in the experimental group only in three constructions, namely: mental status, memory and linguistic expression.

Conclusions : Cognitive and behavior functions and recent memory could be improve by TENS on the temporal areas.