People with chronic low back pain who seek relief with transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation or TENS are wasting their time and money.
People with chronic low back pain who seek relief with transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation or TENS are wasting their time and money.
However, the technique can be effective in relieving diabetic nerve pain, also called diabetic neuropathy. About 60 percent of people with diabetes tend to develop diabetic neuropathy.
A TENS unit is a portable, pocket-sized, battery-operated device. Electrodes are applied to the skin at the area of pain. When turned on, an electric current is sent through the electrodes causing a tingling sensation in the underlying skin and muscle. The current is adjustable and may be applied in short bursts.
According to the new TENS practice guideline, TENS is 'ineffective' for the treatment of chronic low back pain but is 'probably effective' in reducing pain from diabetic neuropathy. Research on TENS for chronic low back pain has yielded conflicting results. The new guideline stems from a comprehensive review of the scientific literature.
Researchers identified 263 articles on TENS and found five studies that met the scientific standards necessary for meaningful conclusions. The two studies that had the strongest designs (Class 1) found 'no benefit' from TENS in relieving chronic lower back pain - that is, pain that has persisted for three months or longer. Three weaker (Class 2) studies had conflicting results, with 'modest' TENS benefits found in two of them and no benefit in the third.
For people suffering from numbness, tingling, or jabbing pain associated with diabetic neuropathy, the results were more promising. Two Class 2 studies found modest reductions in pain. TENS should be considered for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy.
It is thought that electric nerve stimulation blocks the pain signal to the brain, providing short-term relief. Despite the growing popularity of TENS, proof of its effectiveness is lacking. Therefore further vigorous research is needed to validate the technique's effectiveness against a variety of painful conditions.
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