Evidence map›Paper›PMID 24953072›Full record

ReviewPain management2014

Using TENS for pain control: the state of the evidence.

Carol G T Vance, Dana L Dailey, Barbara A Rakel, Kathleen A Sluka

8 registry-linked trialsOpen access · greenAbstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Pain management, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 8 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 171 papers, 10 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
171citing papers in PubMed, 10 pooled it
15.3field-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.

NCT03494842 naunknown statusnot on this mapstarted 2018, after this paper: background citation

A Doubled Blinded Randomised Controlled Trial of Conscious Sedation With Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation for Pain Relief During Suction Evacuation for Termination of First Trimester Pregnancies

TypeinterventionalSponsorQueen Mary Hospital, Hong KongRan2018 to 2020Enrolled170ConditionsPregnancy, Abdominal, Termination of Pregnancy, Pain, NerveArmsTranscutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS), Placebo Transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS)
NCT03868787 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2019, after this paper: background citation

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Pain Control During Cervical Dilator Placement Prior to Dilation and Evacuation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorAshley Turner, MDRan2019 to 2021Enrolled74ConditionsPain ManagementArmsTENS, Sham TENS
NCT04334772 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2020, after this paper: background citation

Effectiveness of Percutaneous Microelectrolysis and Stretching Exercises on Agility, Strength, and Knee Joint Range in Hamstring Tightness in Athletes

TypeinterventionalSponsorQuiropraxia y EquilibrioRan2020 to 2021Enrolled30ConditionsHamstring ContracturesArmsMuscle belly Microelectrolysis, Tendon Microelectrolysis, Stretching exercises
NCT05348005 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2022, after this paper: background citation

Study of the Use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Unit in the Management of Endometriosis Pain

TypeinterventionalSponsorMilton S. Hershey Medical CenterRan2022 to 2025Enrolled40ConditionsEndometriosis, Pelvic PainArmsOvira Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Unit
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
NCT06233786 phase3unknown statusnot on this mapstarted 2024, after this paper: background citation

Effectiveness of Non-invasive Neuromodulation in Primary Dysmenhorrea: A Randomized Clinical Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorNaiara Benítez AramburuRan2024 to 2024Enrolled30ConditionsPrimary DysmenorrheaArmsTranscutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
NCT07044622 nawithdrawnnot on this mapstarted 2025, after this paper: background citation

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Intrauterine Device (IUD) Pain

TypeinterventionalSponsorYale UniversityRan2025 to 2026Enrolled0ConditionsPainArmsTranscutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
NCT07777939 nanot yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

Continuous 24-Hour Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Post-Cesarean Pain Management: A Randomized Controlled Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorHoly Family Hospital, Nazareth, IsraelRan2026 to 2027Enrolled196ConditionsPost Cesarean Pain ManagementArmsTENS
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

171 citing papers in PubMed, 10 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 454 citations in OpenAlex.

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  6. Complementary and alternative therapies for post-caesarean pain.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2020
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111 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

4 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Carol G T VanceThe University of Iowa Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science Department, IA, USA.
Dana L Dailey
Barbara A Rakel
Kathleen A Sluka
American Physical Therapy Association · USUniversity of Iowa · US

Funding

Fibromyalgia Activity Study with TENS "FAST"UM1AR063381 · NIAMS · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · PI CROFFORD, LESLIE J, SLUKA, KATHLEEN A · 2013 to 2017
$3.4M
Central Mechanisms involved in the interactions between muscle pain and exerciseR01AR061371 · NIAMS · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · PI SLUKA, KATHLEEN A · 2012 to 2016
$2.3M
Effectiveness of TENS on Hyperalgesia, Pain with Movement, and Function After TKRR01NR009844 · NINR · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · PI RAKEL, BARBARA · 2007 to 2010
$1.9M
NIAMS NIH HHS AR063381NIAMS NIH HHS R01 AR061371NIAMS NIH HHS UM1 AR063381NINR NIH HHS NR009844NINR NIH HHS R01 NR009844
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a nonpharmacological intervention that activates a complex neuronal network to reduce pain by activating descending inhibitory systems in the central nervous system to reduce hyperalgesia. The evidence for TENS efficacy is conflicting and requires not only description but also critique. Population-specific systemic reviews and meta-analyses are emerging, indicating both HF and LF TENS being shown to provide analgesia, specifically when applied at a strong, nonpainful intensity. The purpose of this article is to provide a critical review of the latest basic science and clinical evidence for TENS. Additional research is necessary to determine if TENS has effects specific to mechanical stimuli and/or beyond reduction of pain and will improve activity levels, function and quality of life.

Indexed as

Chronic PainEvidence-Based MedicineHumansPain ManagementTranscutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

Identifiers

PMID24953072
PMCPMC4186747
OpenAlexW2096602019

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

and 2 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.