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  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for fibromyalgia-like syndrome in patients with Long-COVID: a pilot randomized clinical trial

This content will become publicly available on December 1, 2025

Title: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for fibromyalgia-like syndrome in patients with Long-COVID: a pilot randomized clinical trial
Abstract This study investigated the effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for fibromyalgia-like symptoms including chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and/or gait impairment in twenty-five individuals with long-COVID. Participants were randomized to a high dose (intervention group, IG) or low dose (placebo group, PG) TENS device. Both groups received daily 3–5 h of TENS therapy for 4-weeks. The Brief Pain Inventory assessed functional interference from pain (BPI-I), and pain severity (BPI-S). The global fatigue index (GFI) assessed functional interference from fatigue. Wearable technology measured gait parameters during three 30-feet consecutive walking tasks. At 4-weeks, the IG exhibited a greater decrease in BPI-I compared to the PG (mean difference = 2.61,p = 0.008), and improved in gait parameters including stride time (4-8%, test condition dependent), cadence (4-10%, depending on condition), and double-support phase (12% in dual-task) when compared to baseline. A sub-group meeting the 2010 American College of Rheumatology Fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria undergoing high-dose TENS showed GFI improvement at 4-weeks from baseline (mean change = 6.08,p = 0.005). Daily TENS therapy showed potential in reducing functional interference from pain, fatigue, and gait alterations in long-COVID individuals. The study’s limited power could affect the confirmation of certain observations. Extending the intervention period may improve treatment effectiveness.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2516857
PAR ID:
10584455
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
Nature
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Scientific Reports
Volume:
14
Issue:
1
ISSN:
2045-2322
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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