Effects of Electrical Nervous Stimulation Transcutaneous in Hypertensive Patients

Overview

Systemic arterial hypertension is a disease characterized by high blood pressure levels. It has a high prevalence, is a precursor of cardiovascular diseases, resulting in high costs to the health system and increased mortality. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a low-frequency pulsed electrical current widely used for analgesia. Recently, it has been proposed as a non-pharmacological strategy for blood pressure control. The aim of this study is to verify the effect of low-frequency TENS when applied in different anatomical sites on blood pressure, autonomic control and endothelial function in hypertensive patients.

Systemic arterial hypertension is a disease characterized by high blood pressure levels. It has a high prevalence, is a precursor of cardiovascular diseases, resulting in high costs to the health system and increased mortality. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a low-frequency pulsed electrical current widely used for analgesia. Recently, it has been proposed as a non-pharmacological strategy for blood pressure control. The aim of this study is to verify the effect of low-frequency TENS when applied in different anatomical sites on blood pressure, autonomic control and endothelial function in hypertensive patients. For this, patients will be randomized into 4 groups: group 1 (cervical stimulation), group 2 (plus cervical stimulation ), group 3 (renal stimulation), group 4 (control). Group 1 will receive TENS in the cervical paravertebral region; group 2 will receive stimulation in the cervical paravertebral region, ear lobe, wrist and ankle. Group 3 will have the anatomical region of the kidneys stimulated. Group 4 will not receive any intervention. All the treated patients will receive 30 minutes of stimulation per session, regardless of group allocation. Ten applications will be carried out over the course of a month.