Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Prevention and Treatment of Post-Herpetic Neuralgia: A Narrative Review

Authors

Alan D. Kaye, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Rahib K. Islam, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
Victoria T. Tong, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
Brynne E. Tynes, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Kelly R. Sala, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
Brennan Abbott, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Chandni R. Patel, St. George's University, True Blue, GRD
Isabella B. Lentz, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Raju Behara, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Shilpadevi Patil, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Uzayr Wasif, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
Sahar Shekoohi, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
Giustino Varrassi, Fondazione Paolo Procacci, Rome, ITA

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-25-2024

Publication Title

Cureus

Abstract

The present investigation evaluated transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for the non-pharmacological treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN is the most common complication of the Herpes Zoster virus, affecting one in every five patients with shingles, and presents as intense neuropathic pain that can persist for 90 days or longer after the initial onset of symptoms. Current pharmacological treatment options are mainly limited to symptom management, including oral medications such as tricyclic antidepressants and gabapentinoid preparations, as well as topical options such as lidocaine or capsaicin. TENS is a minimally invasive, non-pharmacological electrical nerve stimulation device currently approved for the treatment of neuropathic pain in adults, providing patients with an alternative or adjunct treatment option to medication with a reduced potential for unwanted side effects, drug-drug interactions or potentially life-threatening toxicity. Current indications for the use of TENS in the treatment of PHN are recommended only after therapeutic goals are attempted and unsuccessfully met by current mainstay medications. More research into the efficacy and safety of TENS for treating PHN should be conducted to clarify further its role as a mainstay treatment for this condition.

First Page

e74416

PubMed ID

39723328

Volume

16

Issue

11

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Kaye, Alan D.; Islam, Rahib K.; Tong, Victoria T.; Tynes, Brynne E.; Sala, Kelly R.; Abbott, Brennan; Patel, Chandni R.; Lentz, Isabella B.; Behara, Raju; Patil, Shilpadevi; Wasif, Uzayr; Shekoohi, Sahar; and Varrassi, Giustino, "Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Prevention and Treatment of Post-Herpetic Neuralgia: A Narrative Review" (2024). School of Medicine Faculty Publications. 3302.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/som_facpubs/3302
10.7759/cureus.74416