Efficacy of the use of two simultaneously TENS devices for fibromyalgia pain

Abstract

Fibromyalgia is characterized by a range of symptoms that include muscle pain, fatigue and sleep disorders. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is an established method for pain relief. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the use of two simultaneously new TENS devices for fibromyalgia pain. After Ethics approval and informed consent, 39 patients were prospectively divided into three groups to evaluate TENS device, applied simultaneously in each patient: (1) at the lower back (perpendicular to the vertebrae canal, at the level of the 5th lumbar vertebrae) and (2) centrally above and below the space between the C7 and T1 spinous processes. The devices were applied for 20 min at 12-h interval during 7 consecutive days. For the placebo group (PG), the devices did not transmitted electrical stimulus. The single-TENS group (STG) (n = 13) had one active and one placebo TENS. The DTG applied both active TENS devices at the low back and cervical areas. Diclofenac was used as rescue analgesic. The efficacy measures were pain relief, reduction in use of daily analgesic tablets, quality of sleep and fatigue. The evaluation within groups revealed that patients from DPG refereed no pain relief when compared to their previous VAS pain score (8 cm, p > 0.05), while patients from the STG refereed improvement of 2.5 cm in the pain VAS (previous 8.5 cm compared to 6 cm after treatment) (p < 0.05), and the DPG refereed daily maintained reduction of 4 cm in the VAS pain (previous 8.5-4.3 cm) (p < 0.02). Concurrent daily consumption of analgesic tablets was reduced in both STG (p < 0.05) and DTG (p < 0.02). Comparison among groups revealed that analgesia, as well as quality of sleep and disposition, was DTG > STG > PG (p < 0.05). Participants subjectively found the active device useful. While the application of a single active TENS improved pain relief in fibromyalgia pain, pain and fatigue were further improved when two active devices were simultaneously applied at the low back and cervical area, with no side effects.

Central Sensitization-Based Classification for Temporomandibular Disorders: A Pathogenetic Hypothesis

“…Our data agree with those of Moran et al [ 136 ], who stated that the sensory TENS has a significant effect in inducing hypoalgesia compared to placebo. The effects obtained in our work partly disagreed with the claims of Lauretti [ 137 ], who argues that high amplitude stimuli that cause intense muscle contraction are necessary to obtain a low frequency supraspinal effect with TENS. It is probable that the trigeminal territory stimulated with dental ULFTENS has different somatosensory central characteristics of signals integration than those found in other parts of the body, such as the dorsal lumbar and/or limbs, which can contribute to explain our results.…”

The New Portable Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Device Was Efficacious in the Control of Primary Dysmenorrhea Cramp Pain

“…The TENS device represents an alternative for pain control and would act as an adjunctive therapy in painful menstruation. The application of active TENS induced hypoalgesia that persisted during the eight‐hour interval in the three‐ to five‐day study, and the rescue analgesics consumption was very scarce, without adverse effects.…”

Using TENS for pain control: the state of the evidence

“…Dailey et al [6] showed a one-time session of TENS (using a maximum tolerable intensity) significantly decreased movement pain and hyperalgesia. No changes were observed in resting pain [6] Lauretti et al [111] showed TENS using a strong intensity (60 mA) at two sites and at one site produced a significant decrease in pain at rest compared with placebo when applied over a seven day period. Two additional studies show reductions in pain with strong but comfortable intensity HF TENS compared with warmth therapy and to a no TENS group [110,112.] Thus, when used at a strong but comfortable sensation, TENS may be effective for both resting and movement pain in people with fibromyalgia.…”