Focal intense brief transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation for treatment of radicular and postthoracotomy pain.

Abstract

To assess the efficacy of focal intense brief transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation in 2 groups of patients with neuropathic pain. 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. Outpatient multidisciplinary pain clinic at a Midwestern Veterans Affairs medical center. Fourteen consecutive patients with well-documented radiculopathy and 4 consecutive patients with postthoracotomy neuralgia. Statistically significant differences were found in both patient groups, with posttreatment scores reflecting less pain than pretreatment scores for every patient. Patients reported reduced pain ratings following this stimulation technique. Further study of this inexpensive, noninvasive, outpatient technique is needed.