Predicting outcome of TENS in chronic pain: a prospective, randomized, placebo controlled trial

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is an easy to use non-invasive analgesic intervention applied for diverse pain states. However, effects in man are still inconclusive, especially for chronic pain. Therefore, to explore the factors predicting result of TENS treatment in chronic pain we conducted a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (n=163), comparing high frequency TENS (n=81) with sham TENS (n=82). Patients' satisfaction (willingness to continue treatment; yes or no) and pain intensity (VAS) were used as outcome measures. The origin of pain and cognitive coping strategies were evaluated as possible predictors for result of TENS treatment.

Fifty-eight percent of the patients in the TENS group and 42.7% of the sham-TENS group were satisfied with treatment result (chi square=3.8, p=0.05). No differences were found for pain intensity. Patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis and related disorders (especially of the vertebral column) or peripheral neuropathic pain were less satisfied with high frequency TENS (OR=0.12 (95% CI 0.04-0.43) and 0.06 (95% CI 0.006-0.67), respectively). Injury of bone and soft tissue (especially postsurgical pain disorder) provided the best results. Treatment modality or interactions with treatment modality did not predict intensity of pain as a result of treatment. We conclude, that predicting the effect of high frequency TENS in chronic pain depends on the choice of outcome measure. Predicting patients' satisfaction with treatment result is related to the origin of pain. Predicting pain intensity reflects mechanisms of pain behavior and perceived control of pain, independent of treatment modality. Pain catastrophizing did not predict TENS treatment outcome.