System, method, and apparatus for applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation

A method for treating a medical condition by applying transcutaneous electrical stimulation to a target peripheral nerve of a subject, comprising:

• positioning a plurality of stimulation electrodes on a skin surface proximate the targeted peripheral nerve, the stimulation electrodes being spaced from each other in a predetermined configuration;
• positioning one or more recording electrodes on a skin surface remote from the stimulation electrodes at a location where electromyogram (EMG) responses to electrical stimulation of the targeted peripheral nerve can be detected;
• stimulating the peripheral nerve by applying electrical stimulation pulses via the plurality of stimulation electrodes according to stimulation parameters under closed-loop control in which EMG responses elicited a predetermined time after applying the electrical stimulation pulses are monitored via the recording electrodes and the stimulation parameters are adjusted in response to the monitored EMG responses;
• and
• in response to detecting an unacceptable condition of the recording electrodes, applying electrical stimulation pulses via the stimulation electrodes according to the stimulation parameters under open-loop control in which the stimulation parameters are maintained without adjustment.