Study Evaluates Sensory Sensitivity and Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Affective Disorders

In an investigation evaluating sensory processing, individuals with affective and anxiety disorders showed significantly higher odds of reporting a more positive stimulus valence during transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation compared to controls, whereas differences in sensory detection thresholds were not statistically significant.

The study addressed sensory sensitivity and intolerance, which the authors describe as potentially representing a distinct, empirically defined psychiatric phenotype characterized by distressing sensory symptoms and functional impairment stemming from atypical sensory processing. Moving beyond earlier studies that relied predominantly on subjective self-report instruments, the researchers sought to objectively evaluate sensory processing using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

The experimental procedure delivered transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation using a 100 Hz frequency, a 100 µs pulse duration, and a biphasic waveform to measure individual detection thresholds. Stimulating electrodes were positioned on the dominant hand forearm at a site corresponding to the T1 dermatome.

To evaluate affective and hedonic dimensions of functioning relevant to interpreting sensory processing, the investigators also administered structured questionnaires. Anhedonia was measured using the Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale, and overall quality of life was evaluated using the WHOQOL-BREF instrument.

In adjusted statistical models, the clinical group exhibited numerically higher detection thresholds than the control cohort, corresponding to an adjusted difference of 0.84 mA (95% CI −0.98 to 2.66), though this comparison did not achieve statistical significance (p = .367). Group membership was, however, significantly associated with stimulus valence ratings, with participants in the clinical group having higher odds of reporting a more positive valence category (odds ratio = 3.26, 95% CI 1.10–10.01).

The researchers concluded that while detection threshold differences between groups were not statistically significant, the findings indicate possible differences in the hedonic appraisal of electrical stimulation among individuals with affective and anxiety disorders. The authors noted that these findings should be interpreted cautiously and confirmed through further research.

Subject of Research: Sensory processing and electrical nerve stimulation in affective and anxiety disorders

Article Title: Sensory sensitivity assessed using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, ​anhedonia and quality of life in patients with affective disorders

Article References: Witkoś, J., Fusińska-Korpik, A., & Kończakowska, A. (2026). Sensory sensitivity assessed using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, ​anhedonia and quality of life in patients with affective disorders. BMC Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-026-08847-8

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12888-026-08847-8

Keywords: affective disorders, anxiety disorders, sensory processing, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, stimulus valence, anhedonia, detection thresholds, psychiatry, Sensory, sensitivity, assessed, transcutaneous