TENS helps fibromyalgia patients

09/25/2013

A US study showed that transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in patients with fibromyalgia can bring about a short-term improvement in symptoms during exercise.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study, scientists from the University of Iowa examined the effects of TENS in 40 patients with fibromyalgia and, correspondingly, central over-excitability and reduced pain inhibition. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the randomness principle (active TENS, placebo TENS and no TENS).

Before and after the single treatment, various tests were performed. At rest, a similar average level of pain was found in all groups. Under exercise, in the active TENS group, pain intensity and fatigue improved significantly over both control groups. Shortly after TENS treatment, the pain threshold in the treated areas of the spine had also increased. Functional improvements could not be achieved by the therapy. (Pm)