Electric Nerve Stimulation

TENS is a therapy using low-voltage electrical currents on skin to stimulate nerves for pain relief. Large meta-analysis (381 RCTs, 24,532 participants) shows moderate-certainty evidence that TENS reduces pain intensity during/immediately after treatment compared to placebo. Effect size SMD=-0.96 is meaningful but evidence quality is low due to small trials. Works via modulating pain processing in spinal cord and descending inhibition. Intensity matters - must use 'strong but comfortable' setting. Safe and noninvasive but long-term efficacy uncertain.

Quick Answer

What it is

Key findings

Grade C: Pain Intensity (Chronic pain)
Grade C: Pain vs Standard Care (Chronic pain)

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Electric Nerve Stimulation

Quick Facts: Electric Nerve Stimulation

Best Evidence:Grade C
Conditions Studied:1
Research Outcomes:2
Key Effect:Chronic pain

Outcomes by grade:

1 conditions · 2 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

Pain Intensity

Moderate Decrease - SMD -0.96 vs placebo during/after treatment (moderate-certainty evidence)

91 studies4841 participants

moderate↓Improves

Pain vs Standard Care

Moderate Decrease - SMD -0.72 vs standard care treatments

61 studies3155 participants

moderate↓Improves

Evidence by Condition

Best grade per condition (each condition may have multiple outcomes)

CChronic pain

1 outcome · 152 studies

↓Pain IntensityImproves↓Pain vs Standard CareImproves

Research Citations (4)

Efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for acute and chronic pain in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 381 studies (the meta-TENS study)

BMJ Open (2022)

PMID: 35144946

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic pain - an overview of Cochrane Reviews

Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2019)

PMID: 30776855

Remote analgesic effects of conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: a scientific and clinical review with a focus on chronic pain

J Pain Res (2019)

PMID: 31669610

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic low back pain

Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2001)

PMID: 11406059

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