TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE-STIMULATION FOR THE CONTROL OF PAIN

In this review article the neurophysiological mechanisms through which the effect of TENS can be explained will be discussed. The clinical studies on the effectiveness of TENS for the control of pain, both in the acute and chronic state, are summarized, including contradictory findings, mainly due to methodological problems in pain evaluation and placebo control. Since the effect of TENS, with respect to the pain condition that is treated, seems to be intensity and frequency dependent, attention will be payed on the different TENS modes. Finally the complications and contraindications are discussed.