February 03, 2015
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Effective for Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
International Journal of Dermatology

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

• A small pilot study of patients with post-herpetic neuralgia refractory to other treatments compared the use of a transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) device with the use of a sham device. All patients receiving the sham device treatment chose to receive the active device after three treatments. The majority of patients reported a significant reduction in symptoms with use of the TENS device.
• Patients with post-herpetic neuralgia who are refractory to other treatments may benefit from use of a transcutaneous electrical stimulation device.
  – Joshua Arbesman, MD

Abstract

Postherpetic neuralgia remains a therapeutic challenge for the clinician. Many modalities have been utilized with limited success. In this pilot randomized study of patients who were refractory to previous medicinal treatment, the patients were treated with transcutaneous nerve stimulation with a biofeedback capability. After every two treatments with the sham and true device, the patients were required to fill out a standard neuropathic pain scale score. The patients were allowed to select the other device after three consecutive treatments if they felt an inadequate decrease in their pain. The true device was chosen over the sham device by all patients. The majority of these patients treated by the true device reported a statistically significant decrease in pain scores (P < 0.001). Further investigation of this Food and Drug Administration, class 2 accepted, electronic device for relief of pain is warranted for patients with a history of recalcitrant postherpetic neuralgia.

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