Using TENS therapy to reduce pain from exercise in women with fibromyalgia
The Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Exercise-Induced Pain in Women Living With Fibromyalgia
This study is testing if TENS therapy can help women with fibromyalgia feel less pain during and after exercise compared to a fake treatment.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 24 (estimated) |
| Ages | 40 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Université de Sherbrooke Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Sherbrooke, Quebec) |
| Trial ID | NCT06834308 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in reducing exercise-induced pain in women with fibromyalgia. Participants will undergo a supervised resistance training session while receiving either active TENS or a sham treatment. The study aims to compare pain intensity and unpleasantness during and after exercise between the two groups. Data will be collected through pain assessments and a digital logbook to track pain levels post-exercise.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are women aged 40 and older diagnosed with fibromyalgia who experience persistent pain.
Not a fit: Patients who are physically active prior to the study or have contraindications to TENS or physical activity may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a non-invasive method to alleviate pain during exercise for women with fibromyalgia.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of TENS for pain management is established, this specific application in exercise-induced pain for fibromyalgia is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Be 40 years of age or older. * Have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. * Experience persistent pain in the lumbo-pelvic and lower limb region with an intensity ≥ 3/10 on a numerical scale of 0 to 10 (0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain imaginable). * Refrain from consuming caffeine and analgesics 6 hours before the experiment, and refrain from smoking cigarettes 2 hours before the experiment. Exclusion Criteria: * Are physically active prior to the start of the study, i.e., they meet the recommendations of 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous intensity activity or practice 2 times 30 minutes of muscle-strengthening exercises per week for 2 months. * Suffer from poorly controlled cardiovascular diseases. * Have one or more contraindications to physical activity * Have one or more contraindications to TENS * Have already participated in a research project involving TENS or used a TENS device in the past 10 years.
Where this trial is running
Sherbrooke, Quebec
- Centre de recherche sur le vieillissement — Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Guillaume Léonard
- Email: guillaume.leonard2@usherbrooke.ca
- Phone: 819 821-8000
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.