Effects of TENS on Chronic Lower Back Pain in the General Population: A Critically Appraised Topic

Clinical scenario: Chronic lower back pain (CLBP) affects approximately 70% of the population today.1 Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is often used for pain management of CLBP along with other treatments. However, the effect of TENS by itself is inconclusive. Clinical question: In the general population, what are the effects of TENS on chronic lower back pain? Summary of Key Findings: Patients that received TENS reported a decrease in perceived pain levels. Clinical bottom line: TENS was effective in the immediate pain relief of CLBP at a carrier frequency of 4KHz and an amplitude-modulation frequency of 100Hz. Additionally, it showed pain reduction for approximately 24 hours following treatment, therefore TENS provides short-term pain reduction. Strength of recommendation: Grade B evidence shows ­­­­­­­­­statistical support for the use of TENS or E-STIM in the treatment of CLBP.  Keywords: TENS, chronic low back pain, general population