Sensory Responses to Electrical Stimulation

Abstract

Sensory sensitivity to electrical stimulation depends on a host of factors associated with the stimulus waveform, its method of delivery, and subjective variables. In most situations involving electrical safety or acceptability, current is applied to the body by cutaneous electrodes. There are also practical applications in which electric current may be applied subcutaneously or induced internally by external electromagnetic fields. Although the emphasis in this chapter is on electrocutaneous stimulation, many of the principles discussed may be applied to other modes of stimulation. The reader is directed to Chapter 9 for additional discussion of peripheral nerve stimulation by time-varying magnetic field effects or by induced shock within intense electric field environments. In addition to sensory effects described in this chapter, stimulation by electric current and electromagnetic fields can also elicit visual and auditory sensations. These will be treated in Sect. 9.8.