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The discovery of transcutaneous spinal electroanalgesia and its relief of chronic pain
Macdonald AJR, Coates TW
Physiotherapy 1995 Nov;81(11):653-661
clinical trial
9/10 [Eligibility criteria: No; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: Yes; Blind therapists: Yes; Blind assessors: Yes; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: Yes; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

Transcutaneous spinal electroanalgesia (TSE) is a new method employing brief pulse durations (10 microsec or less) at relatively high voltage (50 V or more) that are designed to modulate processing of chronic pain when surface electrodes are placed on the skin overlying the spinal cord, without causing distress or side effects. In patients with chronic unilateral tenderness TSE significantly reduced tenderness as compared with the contralateral side (p < 0.001). A randomised, double-blind, cross-over clinical trial comparing the widespread analgesic effects of TSE with a control, showed the new method to be significantly superior (p < 0.005). TSE is well tolerated and can scarcely be felt. An advantage of TSE over peripheral nerve stimulation is that the surface electrodes are always placed over the spinal cord, regardless of the site(s) of pain.

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