New York, January 04: While transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) had long been the most effective treatment for chronic low back pain, a new study voices doubt over this belief.
Previous studies had reported controversial results regarding the efficacy of TENS in treating different types of pain.
TENS is a portable, pocket-sized, battery-operated device applied to the skin at the area of pain. The electric nerve stimulation is believed to block the pain signal to the brain, providing short-term relief.
The new guidelines released by the American Academy of Neurology found TENS to be “ineffective” in treating chronic low back pain. It, however, was found “probably effective” in reducing pain from diabetic neuropathy.
This technique, therefore, should not be used in the treatment of chronic low back pain, the study published in Neurology reported.
“TENS should be considered for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy,” said lead researchers Richard M. Dubinsky and Janis Miyasaki.
—Agencies