Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation of T6 Dermatome on Appetite and Weight Reduction in Obese Individuals: A Pilot Study

• Published in: Neurology India 2024-05, Vol.72 (3), p.534-539
• Main Authors: Sahu, Pradeep Kumar, Ranjan Piyush, Agrawal Deepak, Singh, Garima
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Appetite; Obesity; Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation-TENS; Weight control
• ISSN: 0028-3886; 1998-4022
• DOI: 10.4103/neuroindia.NI_1063_20

Background:Previous work demonstrated the beneficial effect of T6 dermatomal stimulation by the percutaneous method in managing obesity. However, a simple, cost-effective, and feasible intervention stimulating the dermatome can be a potential solution for obesity care.Objective:The objective of this study was to find the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) of T6 dermatome on appetite and weight loss in obese individuals.Material and Methods:In this prospective single-arm experimental study, 20 obese patients received TENS treatment of T6 dermatome for 30 min, once a week and for 12 weeks. Outcome measures such as appetite level in the visual analog scale (VAS), weight in kg, and basal metabolic index (BMI) in kg/m2 were assessed at baseline, 12 weeks -post-intervention, and at 8 weeks of follow-up.Results:A statistically significant difference in all the variables was found from baseline to 12 weeks of intervention (P < 0.001) and maintained till 8 weeks of follow-up. From pre- to post-treatment, the effect size for appetite reduction was large (>1) while for weight and BMI loss was (0.14, 0.16), respectively small. Additionally, a weak correlation was found between pre- and follow-up appetite and weight loss (r = 0.25, P = 0.294).Conclusions:Twelve weeks of TENS treatment of T6 dermatome showed a positive effect in reducing appetite with sustained reduction up to 8 weeks of follow-up even after completion of the intervention. However, in the absence of dietary modification, TENS treatment was associated with low effect sizes weight and BMI loss.