TENS found Effective for Pain Relief in Fibromyalgia in new research

A recent clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to significantly reduce movement-evoked pain in patients with fibromyalgia, with benefits sustained for up to 6 months. The findings support TENS as a safe, cost-effective, and easily accessible treatment option.

Fibromyalgia is marked by widespread musculoskeletal pain, which often worsens with movement, making routine activities difficult. Despite existing treatments, managing movement-evoked pain remains a major challenge. This study determined whether incorporating TENS could enhance pain relief when combined with outpatient physical therapy.

The Fibromyalgia TENS in Physical Therapy (FM-TIPS) trial, was conducted across 28 outpatient clinics within six health care systems. From February 2021 to late 2024, this research screened 958 individuals, ultimately enrolling 459 participants diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Of these, 384 completed baseline assessments and were included in the primary analysis.

Participants were divided into a group receiving physical therapy alone, and the other receiving physical therapy plus TENS. Those in the TENS group were instructed to apply the device to their upper and lower back for two hours daily, using adjustable frequencies and a strong but comfortable intensity. The study tracked outcomes over 6 months, with the primary endpoint measured at 60 days.

The participants using TENS alongside physical therapy reported significantly lower movement-evoked pain compared to those receiving physical therapy alone. On a 0–10 pain scale, the TENS group experienced an average reduction that was both statistically and clinically meaningful.

About 72% of individuals in the TENS group said their symptoms had improved, when compared to 51% in the physical therapy-only group. Additionally, 41% of TENS users achieved at least a 30% reduction in movement-related pain which was more than triple the rate seen in the comparison group.

By the six-month mark, a majority of participants who had used TENS described it as helpful, with more than half continuing to use the device daily. The therapy was well tolerated. No serious adverse events were reported, and while about 30% of participants experienced minor side effects, these were generally manageable.

Overall, the study highlights TENS as a safe, low-cost, and accessible addition to fibromyalgia treatment. Given its ease of use and sustained effectiveness, clinicians may consider integrating TENS into standard care plans to better address movement-related pain and improve quality of life for patients.

Source:

Dailey, D. L., Vance, C. G. T., Van Gorp, B. J., Johnson, E. M., Post, A. A., Chimenti, R. L., Vance, K. G., Franck, C., Sault, J., Yarasir, E., Reisinger, H. S., Anderson, A., Anderson, J., Capelle, R., Crouch, A., Donatelle, J., Kaster, D., Kepros, T., Nicklies, E., … Clinician Group. (2026). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and pain with movement in people with fibromyalgia: A cluster randomized clinical trial: A cluster randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open, 9(3), e262450. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.2450