Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Therapeutic electrical stimulation. The transistorized placebo?

J A Bates

    Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology. Supplement
    |January 1, 1978
    PubMed
    Summary

    Electrical stimulation therapy offers temporary relief for chronic pain and spasticity in some patients. Its effectiveness is debated due to fashion cycles and placebo effects, despite potential physiological mechanisms.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Lower initial dose desoxycorticosterone pivalate for treatment of canine primary hypoadrenocorticism.

    Australian veterinary journal·2013
    Same author

    The application of real-time PCR to the identification, detection and quantification of Pyrenophora species in barley seed.

    Molecular plant pathology·2010
    Same author

    Scorpion ARMS primers for SNP real-time PCR detection and quantification of Pyrenophora teres.

    Molecular plant pathology·2010
    Same author

    Neuropsychology of first-episode schizophrenia: initial characterization and clinical correlates.

    The American journal of psychiatry·2000
    Same author

    Role of intracellular sodium overload in the genesis of cardiac arrhythmias.

    Journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology·1997
    Same author

    Inhibition by external Cd2+ of Na/Ca exchange and L-type Ca channel in rabbit ventricular myocytes.

    The American journal of physiology·1997

    Area of Science:

    • Neurology
    • Pain Management
    • Rehabilitation Medicine

    Background:

    • Electrical stimulation therapy has a cyclical history of adoption and abandonment over two centuries.
    • Patient perception of receiving the latest therapy can influence outcomes, often leading to temporary relief.
    • Assessing the true efficacy of electrical stimulation is challenging due to variability, placebo effects, and patient blinding difficulties.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the long-term adherence and effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic pain.
    • To explore the factors contributing to the fluctuating popularity and perceived efficacy of electrical stimulation therapies.
    • To investigate the potential physiological mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of electrical stimulation.

    Main Methods:

    • A cohort of 126 patients with chronic pain associated with organic disease were offered transcutaneous electrical stimulation.
    • Patient adherence was tracked one year after the initial offer of therapy.
    • Literature review and discussion of historical trends, clinical trial limitations, and physiological mechanisms were included.

    Main Results:

    • Only 18% (23 out of 126) of patients continued using transcutaneous electrical stimulation one year after its introduction.
    • The study highlights the difficulty in distinguishing genuine therapeutic effects from placebo responses and fashion-driven adoption.
    • Evidence suggests potential benefits through interaction at the first sensory synapse, but oversimplification is cautioned against.

    Conclusions:

    • Long-term adherence to transcutaneous electrical stimulation for chronic pain is low, suggesting limited sustained benefit for many patients.
    • The effectiveness of electrical stimulation therapies is influenced by psychological factors, including the placebo effect and patient expectations.
    • While electrical stimulation may offer benefits for select patients via physiological pathways, its application requires careful consideration of individual responses and methodological challenges.

    Related Experiment Videos