A Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) device, commonly used for arthritis and back pain, may offer relief for long COVID symptoms, particularly fatigue and pain, according to a recent study.
Study Details
The study, published in Nature Scientific Reports, involved 25 participants diagnosed with chronic musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and gait difficulties related to long COVID. Participants were randomly assigned to use either a high-dose TENS device or a placebo device for three to five hours daily over one month. The active TENS device delivers low-wattage electrical currents to stimulate nerves.
Key Findings
Results indicated that participants using the real TENS device experienced a 26% reduction in pain compared to the placebo group. Additionally, an 8% improvement in walking ability was observed. Overall, 71% of participants using the TENS device reported a noticeable health benefit, compared to 61.4% in the placebo group.
Bijan Najafi, research director at UCLA Health's Center for Advanced Surgical & Interventional Technology and co-lead author, noted the device's ease of use and potential for integration into daily activities.
TENS Device and Long COVID
Long COVID is estimated to affect 1 in 13 U.S. adults, with symptoms including fatigue, pain, and muscle weakness. The TENS device offers a non-invasive method to manage these symptoms through nerve stimulation.
Future Research
While the study showed promising results, Najafi emphasized the need for further research to validate these findings, citing the limited sample size. The study was primarily funded by the National Science Foundation, with Neurometrix Inc. providing the Quell TENS devices.
Potential Applications
Researchers suggest that TENS may have broader applications for managing similar symptoms in other conditions, such as respiratory diseases, post-ICU weakness, fibromyalgia, and chemotherapy-related side effects. Further studies are needed to explore these potential uses.
