Predicting outcome of TENS in chronic pain: A prospective, randomized, placebo controlled trial

Abstract

Fifty-eight percent of the patients in the TENS group and 42.7% of the sham-TENS group were satisfied with treatment result (chi square=3.8, p=0.05). No differences were found for pain intensity. Patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis and related disorders (especially of the vertebral column) or peripheral neuropathic pain were less satisfied with high frequency TENS (OR=0.12 (95% CI 0.04-0.43) and 0.06 (95% CI 0.006-0.67), respectively). Injury of bone and soft tissue (especially postsurgical pain disorder) provided the best results. Treatment modality or interactions with treatment modality did not predict intensity of pain as a result of treatment. We conclude, that predicting the effect of high frequency TENS in chronic pain depends on the choice of outcome measure. Predicting patients' satisfaction with treatment result is related to the origin of pain. Predicting pain intensity reflects mechanisms of pain behavior and perceived control of pain, independent of treatment modality. Pain catastrophizing did not predict TENS treatment outcome.

A New Transient Sham TENS Device Allows for Investigator Blinding While Delivering a True Placebo Treatment

“…Placebo-induced expectancies decrease pain and modulate specific neural mechanisms 34, 39, 44. In some studies, placebo TENS has shown similar effects to active TENS 2, 29, 32. Thus, the evaluation of placebo treatment to discerning the true efficacy of active TENS treatment is essential.…”

Short-term transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation reduces pain and improves the masticatory muscle activity in temporomandibular disorder patients: a randomized controlled trial

“…This application protocol was based on previous evidence, which report different and complementary analgesic mechanism when adopting high and low frequencies 9 , 20 , 24 , 26 . The TENS device was connected to a placebo device with a selector key that was switched off, without the volunteers knowing this, in such a way not to allow them to distinguish between test procedure and placebo.…”

Electrical current and acupuncture treatment for a paediatric patient with a recurring long thoracic nerve paralysis

“…• Laser (low level laser) applied for hypersensitivity over but not in contact with the sensitive region (has been found by the author to reduce hyperaesthesia in some patients). • TENS [11] for home use with a rate of 200 Hz and a width of 80 ms for pain. • Direct current (APS) for inflammation and swelling [12].…”