Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS] in chronic pain

ABSTRACT

Out of 2,780 cases of pain syndromes, we selected 156 patients with chronic pain. Three categories of patients having low back ache, osteoarthritis of knee and cervical spondylosis cases were studied. Their symptoms and duration of pain was more or less of similar nature. Fifteen days treatment was given to each patient. In one group [TENS group] electrodes were stimulated for 1/2 hour and to another group [Acupuncture group] needles were inserted on specific points and were stimulated with B.T 701 stimulator. Patients in the acupuncture group showed that needles were more effective and the effect persisted over a longer period. It was also observed that patients with pain of more than one year duration responded less well to TENS than acupuncture