Transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation relieves primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized, double-blind clinical study versus placebo.

Introduction: This randomized, crossover, double-blind, controlled trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of a preprogrammed transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device versus placebo (SHAM) in women with primary dysmenorrhea (PD).

Material: Forty women suffering from significant dysmenorrhea requiring the use of analgesics and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs self-apply to the abdominal or lumbar region depending on the location of the pain, alternately according to randomization, the TENS device then the SHAM (dummy device) or conversely SHAM then TENS. The primary endpoint compares the evolution of pain intensity before and after application of TENS and SHAM. The speed of action, the persistence of the analgesic effect and the therapeutic savings are also evaluated. Adverse events (AEs) are collected.

Results: A statistically and clinically significant decrease in the pain of 53% (P<0.0001) is observed during the first 2 applications of TENS versus no analgesic effect (-5%, P=0.318) with SHAM. Over all 197 applications of TENS, the reduction of menstrual pain intensity by more than half is confirmed. The rapid relief, less than 20 minutes in 74% of cases, lasts on average more than 7 hours. A difference in analgesic consumption of -93% is observed in favor of TENS (P<0.01). Seven participants reported 10 non-serious AEs, 2 of which were possibly related to TENS.

Conclusion: The TENS device tested represents a well-tolerated, rapidly and lastingly effective non-pharmacological analgesic solution, capable of replacing or being combined with analgesics in the management of PD.