EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF THE SALIVARY PACEMAKER  TENS THERAPY IN XEROSTOMIA PATIENTS – A PILOT STUDY

Dr. Preeti Nair; Dr. Palak Gangwal; Dr.Harshkant Gharote; Dr.Annette Bhambal; Dr.Rajul Jain; Dr.Anuja Gupta

Volume : V, Issue : IV, April - 2016

EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF THE SALIVARY PACEMAKER TENS THERAPY IN XEROSTOMIA PATIENTS – A PILOT STUDY

Dr. Preeti Nair, Dr. Palak Gangwal, Dr. Harshkant Gharote, Dr. Annette Bhambal, Dr. Rajul Jain, Dr. Anuja Gupta

Abstract :

Aim: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) as a means of stimulating salivary function in dry mouth patients. Materials and Methods: 20 adult subjects with DRY MOUTH were enrolled in the protocol. TENS electrode pads were placed externally on the skin overlying the parotid glands. Unstimulated and stimulated saliva was collected for 5 min into graduated tubes. TENS unit was then activated and the stimulated saliva collected for an additional 5 min. A paired �t� test was applied to look for statistically significant differences as a group between the amount of unstimulated and TENS–stimulated samples of saliva. Results: ALL OF THE 20 subjects demonstrated increased salivary flow when stimulated via the TENS unit. The Mean Increase in the Unstimulatory And Stimulatory Flow Rate at baseline Was 0.26+0.11 And 1.14+0.26 and At 4th Week Was 1.57+0.45 And 2.84+0.47 respectively and the difference was highly Significant (P<0.001) Conclusion: The TENS unit was effective in increasing the salivary flow In all of the Study Subjects. A further study in more number of Patients is warranted.