How electrical nerve stimulation could benefit women with fibromyalgia
| Jan 7, 2020, 13:54 IST
A new study claims electrical nerve stimulation could help treat women with fibromyalgia.The study's findings were originally published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
According to the Mayo Clinic, fibromyalgia is "characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals".
In the study, conducted by University of Iowa researchers, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was used to deliver electrical currents through the skin. This was to stop the pain by activating the nerve pathways. The test helped reduce pain and fatigue significantly.
Another study, published in the Journal of Neurophysiology, claims electrical nerve stimulation could help reverse spinal cord injury nerve damage."The present study has clearly demonstrated that an intensive six-week peripheral nerve stimulation program was beneficial in improving nerve excitability parameters toward the normal range," researchers of the study stated.
Adding, "Therapies that help to maintain peripheral nerve function, such as the peripheral nerve stimulation paradigm used in the current study, need to be incorporated into the mainstream neuro-rehabilitation program in the early phases of SCI."
A 2012 study revealed the medical condition can sometimes go undiagnosed in men. "Health care providers may not think of this diagnosis when face to face with a male patient with musculoskeletal pain and fatigue," lead author Ann Vincent, a medical director of Mayo Clinic's Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Clinic, told a news portal. Adding, "These findings need to be explored further."
The findings of this study were originally published in the journal Arthritis Care & Research.
Picture Courtesy: Google Images
According to the Mayo Clinic, fibromyalgia is "characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals".
In the study, conducted by University of Iowa researchers, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was used to deliver electrical currents through the skin. This was to stop the pain by activating the nerve pathways. The test helped reduce pain and fatigue significantly.
Another study, published in the Journal of Neurophysiology, claims electrical nerve stimulation could help reverse spinal cord injury nerve damage."The present study has clearly demonstrated that an intensive six-week peripheral nerve stimulation program was beneficial in improving nerve excitability parameters toward the normal range," researchers of the study stated.
Adding, "Therapies that help to maintain peripheral nerve function, such as the peripheral nerve stimulation paradigm used in the current study, need to be incorporated into the mainstream neuro-rehabilitation program in the early phases of SCI."
A 2012 study revealed the medical condition can sometimes go undiagnosed in men. "Health care providers may not think of this diagnosis when face to face with a male patient with musculoskeletal pain and fatigue," lead author Ann Vincent, a medical director of Mayo Clinic's Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Clinic, told a news portal. Adding, "These findings need to be explored further."
The findings of this study were originally published in the journal Arthritis Care & Research.
Picture Courtesy: Google Images