A treatment involving electrical nerve stimulation helped women with fibromyalgia, according to findings published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is designed to deliver electrical currents through the skin to activate nerve pathways in the body that inhibit pain.

In the study, researchers treated patients with fibromyalgia with TENS, along with standard treatments.

The use of TENS resulted in significant improvements in movement-related pain and fatigue compared with placebo or no TENS.

Researchers suggest it can provide people with a tool to help manage pain and fatigue without taking additional pain medications, according to a media release from Wiley.

“TENS is available over the counter, is inexpensive, and is safe and easy to use,” senior author Kathleen A. Sluka, PT, PhD, FAPTA, of the University of Iowa, says in the release.

“It can provide a self-management option for people with chronic pain, particularly fibromyalgia, to provide an additional level of pain relief.”

[Source(s): Wiley, EurekAlert]