Wrist posture unpredictably affects perception of targeted transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation with wrist-placed electrodes.

Objective: Targeted transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (tTENS) is a non-invasive neural stimulation technique that involves activating sensory nerve fibers to elicit tactile sensations in a distal, or referred, location. Though tTENS is a promising approach for delivering haptic feedback in virtual reality or for use by those with somatosensory deficits, it was not known how the perception of tTENS might be influenced by changing wrist position during sensorimotor tasks.

Approach: We worked with 12 able-bodied individuals and delivered tTENS by placing electrodes on the wrist, thus targeting the ulnar, median, and radial nerves, and eliciting tactile sensations in the hand.