Evidence map›Paper›PMID 23900134›Full record

Trial reportPain2013

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation reduces pain, fatigue and hyperalgesia while restoring central inhibition in primary fibromyalgia.

Dana L Dailey, Barbara A Rakel, Carol G T Vance, Richard E Liebano, Anand S Amrit, Heather M Bush, Kyoung S Lee, Jennifer E Lee, Kathleen A Sluka

9 registry-linked trialsOpen access · greenAbstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Pain, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 9 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 121 papers, 8 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
121citing papers in PubMed, 8 pooled it
11.6field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT00932360 nacompletednot on this map

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Fibromyalgia (FM)

TypeinterventionalSponsorDana DaileyRan2009 to 2012Enrolled43ConditionsFibromyalgiaArmsTENS
NCT03362203 unknown statusnot on this mapstarted 2018, after this paper: background citation

The Hypersensitivity and Changes of Conditioned Pain Modulation in Chronic Neck Pain Patients

TypeobservationalSponsorPeking University People's HospitalRan2018 to 2018Enrolled30ConditionsNeck PainArmsPatients with chronic neck pain, Subjects without chronic neck pain
NCT03531541 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2018, after this paper: background citation

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Cervical Joint Manipulation on Pressure Pain Threshold

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversidade Federal de Sao CarlosRan2018 to 2019Enrolled144ConditionsPainArmsApplication of TENS, CJM, Placebo TENS, Placebo CJM
NCT03541538 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2018, after this paper: background citation

Hypoalgesic Effects of Specific vs Non-specific Cervical Manipulation in Healthy Subjects

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversidade Federal de Sao CarlosRan2018 to 2018Enrolled21ConditionsPainArmsGlobal manipulation, Especific manipulation
NCT04217005 naunknown statusnot on this mapstarted 2019, after this paper: background citation

Enhancing Functional and Cognitive Performances in People With Amputation and Peripheral Neuropathy Through the Restoration of Sensory Feedback in Real World and Virtual Reality Environments

TypeinterventionalSponsorETH ZurichRan2019 to 2026Enrolled20ConditionsLower Limb Amputation Knee, Lower Limb Amputation Above Knee (Injury), Lower Limb Amputation Below Knee (Injury), Diabetic Peripheral NeuropathyArmsSensory Feedback
NCT05362383 nacompletednot on this map

Use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for the Recovery of Oral Function After Orthognathic Surgery

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversidad Complutense de MadridRan2013 to 2020Enrolled47ConditionsOrthognathic Surgery, Physiology, Transcutaneous Electric Nerve StimulationArmstranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS):Enraf Nonius® S82 model
NCT05511181 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2022, after this paper: background citation

High-frequency Sinusoidal Neurostimulation (BioWave) Versus Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain

TypeinterventionalSponsorBioWave CorporationRan2022 to 2023Enrolled120ConditionsChronic Pain, Lumbar Pain Syndrome, Low Back PainArmsBioWave, TENS
NCT06226376 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2024, after this paper: background citation

The Effects of EXOPULSE Mollii Suit on Fibromyalgia Syndrome in Patients With Fibromyalgia (EXOFIB 2): A Sham Controlled Randomized Double-Blind Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorSheikh Shakhbout Medical CityRan2024 to 2025Enrolled28ConditionsFibromyalgia, Rheumatic Diseases, Muscular Diseases, Neuromuscular DiseasesArmsEXOPULSE Mollii Suit Stimulation
NCT06471517 naunknown statusnot on this mapstarted 2024, after this paper: background citation

Neuroprosthetic Device for Improving Issues Caused by Diabetic Neuropathy With Specifically Designed Neural Stimulation

TypeinterventionalSponsorInstitute Mihajlo PupinRan2024 to 2025Enrolled20ConditionsNeuropathy, Peripheral, Neuropathy, Diabetic, Neuropathy, PainfulArmsSomatosensory feedback
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

121 citing papers in PubMed, 8 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 238 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Brain modulatory effects of rehabilitation interventions in fibromyalgia: a systematic review of magnetic resonance imaging studies.Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology · 2025
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  11. Impact of Intramuscular Electrical Stimulation on Multifidus Muscle Function in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research · 2025
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61 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Dana L DaileyDepartment of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA University of the City of Sao Paulo, Physical Therapy Department, Sao Paulo, Brazil Department of Rheumatology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, College of Public Health, Lexington, KY, USA.
Barbara A Rakel
Carol G T Vance
Richard E Liebano
Anand S Amrit
Heather M Bush
Kyoung S Lee
Jennifer E Lee
Kathleen A Sluka
University of Iowa · USUniversity of Kentucky · USAmerican Physical Therapy Association · US

Funding

Effectiveness of TENS on FibromyalgiaR34AR060278 · NIAMS · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · PI SLUKA, KATHLEEN A · 2011 to 2011
$162k
NIAMS NIH HHS R34 AR060278NIAMS NIH HHS R34 AR060378
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Because transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) works by reducing central excitability and activating central inhibition pathways, we tested the hypothesis that TENS would reduce pain and fatigue and improve function and hyperalgesia in people with fibromyalgia who have enhanced central excitability and reduced inhibition. The current study used a double-blinded randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over design to test the effects of a single treatment of TENS with people with fibromyalgia. Three treatments were assessed in random order: active TENS, placebo TENS and no TENS. The following measures were assessed before and after each TENS treatment: pain and fatigue at rest and in movement; pressure pain thresholds, 6-m walk test, range of motion; 5-time sit-to-stand test, and single-leg stance. Conditioned pain modulation was completed at the end of testing. There was a significant decrease in pain and fatigue with movement for active TENS compared to placebo and no TENS. Pressure pain thresholds increased at the site of TENS (spine) and outside the site of TENS (leg) when compared to placebo TENS or no TENS. During active TENS, conditioned pain modulation was significantly stronger compared to placebo TENS and no TENS. No changes in functional tasks were observed with TENS. Thus, the current study suggests TENS has short-term efficacy in relieving symptoms of fibromyalgia while the stimulator is active. Future clinical trials should examine the effects of repeated daily delivery of TENS, similar to the way in which TENS is used clinically on pain, fatigue, function, and quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia.

Indexed as

AdultAgedCentral Nervous SystemCross-Over StudiesFatigueFemaleFibromyalgiaHumansHyperalgesiaMaleMiddle AgedMovementPainPain ManagementPain MeasurementPain ThresholdAnalgesiaChronic widespread painElectrical stimulationFatigueFibromyalgiaHyperalgesiaPainTranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

Identifiers

PMID23900134
PMCPMC3972497
OpenAlexW2132240663

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

and 3 more above

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.