Report on the Findings and Recommendations on Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Pain Relief by the Panel on Review of Neurological Devices, Food and Drug Administration

摘要

The report is on the findings and recommendations on transcutaneous electrical nerve (TENS) stimulation for pain relief by the panel on review of neurological devices in February 1976. Electrical stimulation is being used more frequently for therapeutic purposes. The paper discusses the use of electrical stimulation for pain relief including such topics as: historical background; theory; devices; placebo effect; applications; and results. The available information does not allow a complete evaluation of this method at this time and several of the commercial devices used to develop the method lack engineering sophistication but there is sufficient evidence to indicate that this is an effective method for the treatment of certain types of pain disorders. No harmful side effects have been demonstrated to date but scientific information is not available to ascertain safety and therefore caution is advised on the use of TENS during pregnancy, in patients with cardiac pacemakers, and over the carotid sinuses.