TENS Therapy Shows Promise in Treating Fibromyalgia Pain

Managing fibromyalgia pain may be entering a new era with the help of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). A major real-world clinical trial shows TENS significantly reduces movement-evoked pain and improves patient outcomes.

The FM TIPS study involved 384 participants across 28 physical therapy clinics. Those receiving TENS alongside standard physical therapy reported 1.2 points lower pain scores on a 0-to-10 scale at day 60, with 72% reporting improvement versus 51% in the control group.

At day 180, 81% found TENS helpful, with 55% using it daily. No serious adverse events were recorded, though minor side effects occurred in 30% of users.

These findings suggest TENS can be safely integrated into fibromyalgia treatment plans. Researchers recommend further studies to optimize dosage and long-term use.