TENS treatment at home: dependence of the efficacy on frequency of use

The papers of various authors on the efficacy of TENS (transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation) prompted an investigation to determine whether non-responders were in fact using the TENS equipment provided for home use correctly and for adequate periods. The principal factor in deciding on the investigation was the observation that when patients returned the equipment--because they failed to benefit--after having had it at home for a month or two, hardly any of the consumable material supplied had been used. In order to evaluate this observation quantitatively, TEN stimulators were handed out fitted with timing devices that clocked up the hours of operation. Of a total of 151 patients investigated, 86 responded to TENS after regular use for several months. The remaining 65 patients failed to obtain adequate relief. An analysis of the meter records showed that only ten patients of this group had used TENS on a regular basis. Consideration should be given to means of improving patient compliance in the future.