Biomaterial Database

Examination of electrode placements and stimulating parameters in treating chronic pain with conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). 1981

Steven L Wolf, and Meryl R Gersh, and Vaddadi R Rao

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga. 30322 U.S.A.

Conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was applied to 114 patients diagnosed as having peripheral neuropathy (N = 18), peripheral nerve injury (N = 21), radiculopathy (N = 36) and musculoskeletal disorders (N = 39) to determine optimal electrode placements and stimulation parameters for pain relief. Treatment outcomes were assessed primarily through evaluation of the present pain intensity (PPI) rating scale, Immediate improvements in PPI scores occurred in patients in all these diagnostic categories. One month follow-up data on 25 subjects showed that improvement was of limited duration. No clear correlation between stimulation parameters or electrode placements and pain relief was ascertained. In certain instances (subjects with radiculopathy or peripheral nerve injury) a positive relationship existed between higher intensity stimulation and amelioration of pain. Greater pain relief was reported among patients with minimal previous medical or surgical treatment in every diagnostic group.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D002908	Chronic Disease	Diseases which have one or more of the following characteristics: they are permanent, leave residual disability, are caused by nonreversible pathological alteration, require special training of the patient for rehabilitation, or may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation, or care (Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed). For epidemiological studies chronic disease often includes HEART DISEASES; STROKE; CANCER; and diabetes (DIABETES MELLITUS, TYPE 2).	Chronic Condition,Chronic Illness,Chronically Ill,Chronic Conditions,Chronic Diseases,Chronic Illnesses,Condition, Chronic,Disease, Chronic,Illness, Chronic
D004599	Electric Stimulation Therapy	Application of electric current in treatment without the generation of perceptible heat. It includes electric stimulation of nerves or muscles, passage of current into the body, or use of interrupted current of low intensity to raise the detection threshold of the skin to pain.	Electrotherapy,Electrical Stimulation Therapy,Interferential Current Electrotherapy,Therapeutic Electric Stimulation,Therapeutic Electrical Stimulation,Therapy, Electric Stimulation,Electric Stimulation, Therapeutic,Electrical Stimulation, Therapeutic,Electrotherapy, Interferential Current,Stimulation Therapy, Electric,Stimulation Therapy, Electrical,Stimulation, Therapeutic Electric,Stimulation, Therapeutic Electrical,Therapy, Electrical Stimulation
D005500	Follow-Up Studies	Studies in which individuals or populations are followed to assess the outcome of exposures, procedures, or effects of a characteristic, e.g., occurrence of disease.	Followup Studies,Follow Up Studies,Follow-Up Study,Followup Study,Studies, Follow-Up,Studies, Followup,Study, Follow-Up,Study, Followup
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D012867	Skin	The outer covering of the body that protects it from the environment. It is composed of the DERMIS and the EPIDERMIS.
D059408	Pain Management	A form of therapy that employs a coordinated and interdisciplinary approach for easing the suffering and improving the quality of life of those experiencing pain.	Management, Pain,Managements, Pain,Pain Managements