Age-Related Changes in Neuromodulatory Control of Bladder Micturition Contractions Originating in the Skin

Effects of gentle mechanical skin stimulation on subjective symptoms and joint range of motions in people with chronic neck and shoulder discomfort

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of a 2-week self-administered gentle mechanical skin stimulation on chronic neck and shoulder discomfort. In participants (n = 12) with chronic neck and shoulder discomfort, subjective measures of pain sensation, discomfort, and difficulty in moving using a visual analog scale (VAS, 0-10) and objective measures of 12 different joint range of motions (ROMs) for the cervical and shoulder regions, using a digital goniometer, were collected before and after self-care with contact acupuncture, called microcones. The self-care for 2 weeks significantly (p < 0.001) decreased all VAS scores to 2.2-2.3 from baseline values of 6.0-7.4. Of the 12 ROMs tested, 8 were significantly increased (p < 0.013). This open-label study suggests the use of self-care with microcones in improving subjective symptoms and joint ROMs in people suffering from chronic neck and shoulder discomfort. However, a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial is needed to further investigate the efficacy and safety of microcones.

Thyroxin and calcitonin secretion into thyroid venous blood is regulated by pharyngeal mechanical stimulation in anesthetized rats

The effects of the pharyngeal non-noxious mechanical stimulation on the secretion of immunoreactive thyroxin (iT4), immunoreactive calcitonin (iCT), and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) into thyroid venous blood were examined in anesthetized rats. Secretion rates of iT4, iCT, and iPTH were calculated from their concentration in thyroid venous plasma and the plasma flow rate. A mechanical stimulation was delivered to the pharynx by a rubber balloon placed on the tongue that was intermittently pushed into the pharyngeal cavity. Pharyngeal stimulation increased iT4 and iCT secretion, but iPTH secretion was unchanged. The secretion responses were abolished by transecting the superior laryngeal nerves (SLNs) bilaterally. The activities of the thyroid parasympathetic efferent nerves and the afferent nerves in the SLN increased significantly during pharyngeal stimulation. These results indicate that pharyngeal mechanical stimulation promotes thyroxin and calcitonin secretion from the thyroid gland by a reflex increase in SLN parasympathetic efferent activity, triggered by excitation of SLN mechanoreceptive afferents.

Gentle Perineal Skin Stimulation for Control of Nocturia

One of the major causes of nocturia is overactive bladder (OAB). Somatic afferent nerve stimuli are used for treating OAB. However, clinical evidence for the efficacy of this treatment is insufficient due to the lack of appropriate control stimuli. Studies on anesthetized animals, which eliminate emotional factors and placebo effects, have demonstrated an influence of somatic stimuli on urinary bladder functions and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. In general, the effects of somatic stimuli are dependent on the modality, location, and physical characteristics of the stimulus. Recently we showed that gentle stimuli applied to the perineal skin using a soft elastomer roller inhibited micturition contractions to a greater extent than a roller with a hard surface. Studies aiming to elucidate the neural mechanisms of gentle stimulation-induced inhibition reported that 1-10 Hz discharges of low-threshold cutaneous mechanoreceptive Aβ, Aδ, and C fibers evoked during stimulation with an elastomer roller inhibited the micturition reflex by activating the spinal cord opioid system, thereby reducing both ascending and descending transmission between bladder and pontine micturition center. The present review will provide a brief summary of (1) the effect of somatic electrical stimulation on the micturition reflex, (2) the effect of gentle mechanical skin stimulation on the micturition reflex, (3) the afferent, efferent, and central mechanisms underlying the effects of gentle stimulation, and (4) a translational clinical study demonstrating the efficacy of gentle skin stimuli for treating nocturia in the elderly with OAB by using the two roller types inducing distinct effects on rat micturition contractions. Anat Rec, 302:1824-1836, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy.