Is mechanical pain threshold after transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) increased locally and unilaterally? A randomized placebo‐controlled trial in healthy subjects

Abstract

TENS administered at a strong but comfortable non-painful stimulation intensity increases mechanical pain threshold ipsi-laterally in healthy subjects, whereas TENS administered at sensory threshold intensity does not. TENS may be ineffective if electrodes are placed contralaterally or distant to the pain site and if stimulation intensity levels are not titrated to subjective strong levels. Further clinical trials are needed to clarify if these findings may also be generalized to populations of chronic pain sufferers.