DeSantana Josimari M, Walsh Deirdre M, Vance Carol, Rakel Barbara A, Sluka Kathleen A
Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Sergipe, Av. Marechal Rondon, Jardim Rosa Elze, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brasil 491000.
Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2008 Dec;10(6):492-9. doi: 10.1007/s11926-008-0080-z.
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 and current systematic reviews. Clinical trials suggest that adequate dosing, particularly intensity, is critical to obtaining pain relief with TENS. Thus, evidence continues to emerge from both basic science and clinical trials supporting the use of TENS for the treatment of a variety of painful conditions while identifying strategies to increase TENS effectiveness.
经皮电刺激神经疗法(TENS)是一种用于缓解疼痛的非药物治疗方法。TENS已被用于治疗各种疼痛病症。本综述更新了过去3年(即2005 - 2008年)发表的关于TENS使用的基础和临床科学。使用炎症动物模型的基础科学研究表明,TENS会引起外周神经系统、脊髓和下行抑制通路的变化。转化研究表明了防止对重复应用TENS产生镇痛耐受性的机制。本综述还突出了近期随机、安慰剂对照试验的数据以及当前的系统评价。临床试验表明,适当的剂量,尤其是强度,对于通过TENS获得疼痛缓解至关重要。因此,基础科学和临床试验不断有证据支持使用TENS治疗各种疼痛病症,同时也在确定提高TENS有效性的策略。