Effect of tens in relieving symptomps of Xerostomia

Introduction: Saliva plays a significant role in oral homeostasis. Nevertheless, its diminution or absence can cause significant morbidity and a reduction in a patient’s perceptions of quality of life. Aims and Objectives: The study aimed at finding the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on whole salivary flow rates and comparison between healthy adult subjects and patient with xerostomia. Materials and Methods: Un-stimulated whole saliva and TENS stimulated whole saliva was measured in control as well as study (xerostomia) groups. Data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using the student t test. Results: 75 % of patients in control group and 61 % of patients in study group responded to TENS therapy by increase in stimulated whole saliva flow rate [p value of 0.001]. Comparison between control and study groups in regards to the un-stimulated and stimulated whole saliva showed high statistically significant difference (p value 0.000) in flow rates. Conclusion: In this study extra oral transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation was found to be effective in stimulating whole saliva. The results presented here in healthy and xerostomia subjects warrant further studies in future on the aspects using TENS modality of treatment for xerostomia.