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Effectiveness Of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation For Treatment Of Hyperalgesia And Pain, J. Desantana, D. Walsh, C. Vance, Barbara Rakel, K. Sluka

Barbara A. Rakel

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a nonpharmacologic treatment for pain relief. TENS has been used to treat a variety of painful conditions. This review updates the basic and clinical science regarding the use of TENS that has been published in the past 3 years (ie, 2005-2008). Basic science studies using animal models of inflammation show changes in the peripheral nervous system, as well as in the spinal cord and descending inhibitory pathways, in response to TENS. Translational studies show mechanisms to prevent analgesic tolerance to repeated application of TENS. This review also highlights data from recent randomized, placebo-controlled trials …