The pain suppressive effect of vibratory stimulation and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as compared to aspirin.

The pain reducing effect of vibratory stimulation and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as compared to aspirin and placebo was studied in 60 patients suffering myofascial or musculoskeletal pain. Vibratory stimulation at 20 Hz, 100 Hz and 200 Hz and two modes of TENS were used for peripheral stimulation. In 48 patients these modes of stimulation produced pain reduction. Out of these patients 29 rated vibratory stimulation or TENS as more effective than aspirin while 9 patients rated aspirin as more effective. Ten patients rated the pain suppressive effect of vibratory stimulation and TENS as being equal to that of aspirin. Six of the patients who experienced pain reduction with peripheral stimulation reported an effect only for one particular type of peripheral stimulation. The present results provide evidence that vibratory stimulation and TENS are as efficient and in some patients more efficient pain suppressive measures as compared to aspirin. It is suggested on the basis of these findings that vibratory stimulation and TENS merit consideration in the choice of treatment of myofascial or musculoskeletal pain.