Journal of Neurophysiology, Vol 59, Issue 4 1116-1127, Copyright © 1988 by APS
Transcutaneous electrical stimulation and the sensation of prickle
R. K. Garnsworthy, R. L. Gully, P. Kenins and R. A. Westerman
CSIRO Division of Textile Industry, Belmont, Victoria, Australia.
1. A high-voltage low-current transcutaneous electrical stimulating device
was constructed and tested for its suitability to evaluate fabric-evoked
prickle sensitivity in a population of 162 subjects. The initial sensation
experienced by subjects with this device was the unpleasant sensation of
prickle. 2. Single-unit recordings from the rabbit saphenous nerve
established that at threshold most unmyelinated cutaneous receptors, both C
low-threshold mechanoreceptive and polymodal nociceptive, were activated by
the device. 3. Threshold measurements showed that there was no relationship
of electrical threshold to atopic status, nor to fabric prickle threshold.
It was concluded that our device preferentially excites unmyelinated
afferents, but is not useful as a screening device for fabric intolerance.
