Abstract
Objective: To assess the efficacy of focal intense brief transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation in 2 groups of patients with neuropathic pain. Design: Electric stimulation was delivered with a small stylus electrode pressed against the skin paravertebrally in the radiculopathy group and along the surgical incision in the postthoracotomy neuralgia group. A before-after treatment design was conducted with a verbal pain rating scale. Setting: Outpatient multidisciplinary pain clinic at a Midwestern Veterans Affairs medical center. Participants: Fourteen consecutive patients with well-documented radiculopathy and 4 consecutive patients with post-thoracotomy neuralgia. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in both patient groups, with posttreatment scores reflecting less pain than pretreatment scores for every patient. Conclusions: Patients reported reduced pain ratings following this stimulation technique. Further study of this inexpensive, noninvasive, outpatient technique is needed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 262-264 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
Volume | 82 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2001 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Rehabilitation