The influence of acupuncture TENS currents on the proliferation of cancer cells tested in vitro

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a very popular, non-pharmacological antianalgetic method. Nonetheless, knowledge on using this method is very limited in the treatment of patients with cancer anamnesis. Unfortunately, there are not many results of research referring to the application of this method. It is much more difficult to exclude the possibility of proneoplastic activity regarding these methods than to confirm this action. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of TENS currents on the proliferation of cancer cells tested in vitro. Materials and methods: The following human cell lines were used - A549, ES-2, HT29, MCF-7. The cells were plated 24 h before treatment. Then, the cells were exposed to AL-TENS currents (0.1 mA, 1.0 mA and 10 mA), t imp. 200μs; f 2 Hz, constant; duration: 20 min. The in vitro cytotoxic effects were examined after 96 h in SRB assay. In the other experiment, there were three expositions – 24, 48 and 72 hours from the beginning of the experiment. Results: In this assay, the acceleration of cancer cell proliferation after single or triple-dose expositions to AL-TENS currents was not observed. Conclusions: The AL-TENS current after repeated doses did not accelerate proliferation of cancer cells in in vitro conditions. Please cite as: Pełczyńska M., Milczarek M., Maciejewska M., Wietrzyk J. The influence of acupuncture TENS currents on the proliferation of cancer cells tested in vitro. Med Rehabil 2019; 23(4): 42-46. DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0013.6065 License This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Keywords

• proliferation of cancer cells
• in vitro assay
• electrotherapy
• physiotherapy
• cancer
• rehabilitation