Foundational Research Could Improve Future Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Evaluations
<i>Background and objectives:</i> There is a lack of good quality evidence regarding the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic musculoskeletal pain, including chronic low back pain. High quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have been calle...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Medicina |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/58/2/149 |
| _version_ | 1797478251319263232 |
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| author | Peter W. Gladwell Fiona Cramp Shea Palmer |
| author_facet | Peter W. Gladwell Fiona Cramp Shea Palmer |
| author_sort | Peter W. Gladwell |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Background and objectives:</i> There is a lack of good quality evidence regarding the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic musculoskeletal pain, including chronic low back pain. High quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have been called for to establish effectiveness over and above placebo and some guidance has already been offered regarding the design of such trials. This article expands the discussion regarding the design of future TENS trials. There is qualitative evidence of the complexity of TENS as an intervention which should be considered in future TENS evaluations. This complexity includes multiple benefits reported by patients, depending on their chosen contexts of TENS use. The ideal content and delivery of support for patients to optimise TENS use also lacks consensus. There is no evidence that a TENS education package has been designed to support the complex set of behaviours and choices which experienced users suggest are required to optimise TENS benefits. Finally, clinical and research outcomes have not been contextualised and related to the specific strategies of use. <i>Conclusions:</i> We suggest that research is required to develop consensus about the content and delivery of training in TENS use for patients who live with pain, informed by the experience of patients, clinicians, and researchers. Once a consensus about the content of TENS training has been reached, there is then a need to develop a TENS training course (TTC) based on this content. An effective and acceptable TTC is needed to develop the knowledge and skills required to optimise TENS use, supporting patients to build confidence in using TENS in everyday life situations with the aim of reducing the impact of chronic pain on function and quality of life. Further research is required to extend the evidence base regarding appropriate, contextualised TENS patient-reported outcomes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:29:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2d10daea4a384844809020f2f60ca99f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1010-660X 1648-9144 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:29:17Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medicina |
| spelling | doaj.art-2d10daea4a384844809020f2f60ca99f2023-11-23T20:58:46ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442022-01-0158214910.3390/medicina58020149Foundational Research Could Improve Future Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation EvaluationsPeter W. Gladwell0Fiona Cramp1Shea Palmer2Pain Management Service, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol BS10 5NB, UKFaculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UKCentre for Care Excellence, Coventry University and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust Richard Crossman Building, Jordan Well, Coventry CV1 5RW, UK<i>Background and objectives:</i> There is a lack of good quality evidence regarding the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic musculoskeletal pain, including chronic low back pain. High quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have been called for to establish effectiveness over and above placebo and some guidance has already been offered regarding the design of such trials. This article expands the discussion regarding the design of future TENS trials. There is qualitative evidence of the complexity of TENS as an intervention which should be considered in future TENS evaluations. This complexity includes multiple benefits reported by patients, depending on their chosen contexts of TENS use. The ideal content and delivery of support for patients to optimise TENS use also lacks consensus. There is no evidence that a TENS education package has been designed to support the complex set of behaviours and choices which experienced users suggest are required to optimise TENS benefits. Finally, clinical and research outcomes have not been contextualised and related to the specific strategies of use. <i>Conclusions:</i> We suggest that research is required to develop consensus about the content and delivery of training in TENS use for patients who live with pain, informed by the experience of patients, clinicians, and researchers. Once a consensus about the content of TENS training has been reached, there is then a need to develop a TENS training course (TTC) based on this content. An effective and acceptable TTC is needed to develop the knowledge and skills required to optimise TENS use, supporting patients to build confidence in using TENS in everyday life situations with the aim of reducing the impact of chronic pain on function and quality of life. Further research is required to extend the evidence base regarding appropriate, contextualised TENS patient-reported outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/58/2/149transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulationmusculoskeletal painlow back painpatient reported outcome measuresqualitative researchcomplex intervention |
| spellingShingle | Peter W. Gladwell Fiona Cramp Shea Palmer Foundational Research Could Improve Future Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Evaluations Medicina transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation musculoskeletal pain low back pain patient reported outcome measures qualitative research complex intervention |
| title | Foundational Research Could Improve Future Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Evaluations |
| title_full | Foundational Research Could Improve Future Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Evaluations |
| title_fullStr | Foundational Research Could Improve Future Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Evaluations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Foundational Research Could Improve Future Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Evaluations |
| title_short | Foundational Research Could Improve Future Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Evaluations |
| title_sort | foundational research could improve future transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation evaluations |
| topic | transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation musculoskeletal pain low back pain patient reported outcome measures qualitative research complex intervention |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/58/2/149 |
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