[Comparison of standard and acupuncture methods of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

The comparison of standard high frequency (ST-TENS) and acupuncture-like TENS (AL-TENS) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is presented. Thirty-three patients (26 women and 7 men) with rheumatoid arthritis (according to modified ACR criteria), and with the duration of the disease 10.7 +/- 8.8 years are investigated. Each subject received ST-TENS (75 Hz) at the selected joint and AL-TENS (4 Hz) at the contralateral joint respectively. No significant difference between left and right side in pre-treatment pain was the main criterion for selecting the treated joint. Treatment was performed during 12 days. The initiation, duration, level of hypolgesia (according to Ritchie's pain assessment scale and VAS), patients' global assessment and possible reduction of dosage of analgetics/antirheumatics were measured. There was a significant reduction in pain level on ST-TENS site (48.6%), and on AL-TENS site (40.8%), measured on VAS. Results of Ritchie's index showed significant difference before and after application (for each type of TENS P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between both types of TENS regarding the reduction of pain level, as well as the initiation of analgesic effect, whilst it was noted a slightly longer, although statistically not significant, hypoalgesic effect of AL-TENS. Patients' global assessment also did not differ relating to ST-TENS and AL-TENS, as well as their opinion on possible dosage reduction of analgetics/antirheumatics. Side effects for both types of TENS were negligible. The findings showed that ST-TENS and AL-TENS provided hypoalgesic effect in the similar degree in patients with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis.