THE EFFECT OF H-WAVE THERAPY UPON CONDUCTION IN THE HUMAN SUPERFICIALRADIAL NERVE IN-VIVO

This study was designed to investigate the putative neurophysiological effects of so-called 'H-wave therapy' (HWT), a form of electrical sti mulation. upon conduction latencies in the human superficial radial ne rve. Antidromic compound action-potentials were recorded from the supe rficial radial nerve in the dominant forearms of thirty-two healthy hu man volunteers, who were randomly assigned to a control or one of thre e HWT groups (2, 16 or 60 Hz). HWT was applied under double-blind cond itions for three consecutive 5 min periods. Action potentials were rec orded pre-HWT and immediately after each period of stimulation, i.e. a t 5, 10 and 15 min. Analysis of results showed significant increases-i n negative and positive peak latencies in the 16 Hz and, to-a greater extent, in the 60 Hz groups when compared with controls. No changes in conduction latency were observed in the low frequency 2 Hz group. The results of this study demonstrate that HWT applied:at frequencies of 16 and 60 Hz may produce a direct, localized effect upon conduction in underlying peripheral nerves.