TENS and Vibration for Procedural Pain

(E-MOHS Trial)

This trial aims to determine if a combination of vibration and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can reduce pain during local anesthesia for skin surgeries, such as Mohs surgery or dermatologic excision. Participants will receive either the active treatment or a placebo-like version (a fake treatment) to compare reported pain levels. The trial also examines factors like anxiety during the procedure and participant satisfaction with the device. This trial suits adults scheduled for skin surgery who have never used TENS and can describe their pain levels. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance pain management techniques for future patients.

Research has shown that Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is safe for managing pain. Studies have found that TENS usually carries a low risk of infections or tissue damage because it uses gentle electrical signals to stimulate nerves, avoiding surgery.

In various studies, patients using TENS reported significantly less pain. For example, one study found that TENS reduced the need for painkillers after surgery, indicating that many people tolerate it well. Another study confirmed that TENS is safe and effective for nerve pain.

Researchers are excited about using TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) combined with vibration for procedural pain because it offers a non-invasive, drug-free alternative to traditional pain management methods, like local anesthetics and oral pain medications. This approach works by delivering electrical impulses and vibratory stimulation to the skin, which can help distract the nervous system and reduce the sensation of pain during procedures like Mohs micrographic surgery. Unlike typical pain medications that can take time to act or cause side effects, this method has the potential to provide immediate pain relief with minimal risk. Additionally, the use of a sham TENS as a comparator helps ensure that any observed benefits are due to the active treatment, not just a placebo effect.

This trial will compare the effectiveness of active vibration combined with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) against a sham TENS treatment for managing procedural pain. Research has shown that using TENS with vibration can help reduce pain. Studies have found that TENS can significantly relieve pain, with some people experiencing up to a 50% decrease in pain intensity. In another study, 83.9% of TENS users reported excellent or partial pain relief. Vibration therapy also reduces pain, with about 59% of patients feeling more than 50% relief. Together, these methods seem promising for managing pain during procedures like receiving a local anesthetic.⁶⁷⁸⁹¹⁰