biostudies-literatureHsu GNIMH NIH HHSNINDS NIH HHSNational Institutes of Health693-702https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8919780biostudies-literatureUnknown14(3)<h4>Background</h4>Skin sensation is the primary factor limiting the intensity of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES). It is well established that different waveforms generate different sensations, yet transcranial stimulation has been limited to a relatively small number of prototypical waveforms.<h4>Objective</h4>We explore whether alternative stimulation waveforms could substantially reduce skin sensation and thus allow for stronger intensities in tES.<h4>Methods</h4>We systematically tested a range of waveforms in a series of 6 exploratory experiments stimulating human adults on the forearm and in one instance on the head. Subjects were asked to rate skin sensation level on a numerical scale from "none" to "extreme".<h4>Results</h4>High frequency (>1 kHz) monophasic square wave sBrain stimulationCutaneous sensation of electrical stimulation waveforms.PMC8919780R01 NS095123R01 MH111439R01 MH111896R21 NS115018Parra LCFarahani FHsu GfalseCutaneous sensation of electrical stimulation waveforms.<h4>Background</h4>Skin sensation is the primary factor limiting the intensity of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES). It is well established that different waveforms generate different sensations, yet transcranial stimulation has been limited to a relatively small number of prototypical waveforms.<h4>Objective</h4>We explore whether alternative stimulation waveforms could substantially reduce skin sensation and thus allow for stronger intensities in tES.<h4>Methods</h4>We systematically tested a range of waveforms in a series of 6 exploratory experiments stimulating human adults on the forearm and in one instance on the head. Subjects were asked to rate skin sensation level on a numerical scale from "none" to "extreme".<h4>Results</h4>High frequency (>1 kHz) monophasic square wave s2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 May-Jun2025-04-04T23:15:58.989Z2025-04-04T23:15:58.989ZS-EPMC89197803384867710.1016/j.brs.2021.04.008