--- title: "Evidence: gate-control nerve stimulation" description: "TENS effectively reduces pain intensity compared to placebo with generally mild side effects." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s170.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s170.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s170.html" type: "study" study_key: "s170" journal: "BMJ Open" year: 2022 pmid: "35144946" doi: "10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051073" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Evidence: gate-control nerve stimulation [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Evidence: gate-control nerve stimulation **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s170.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s170 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | BMJ Open | | Year | 2022 | | PMID | [35144946](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35144946/) | | DOI | [10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051073](https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051073) | | Study key | s170 | ## Takeaway TENS effectively reduces pain intensity compared to placebo with generally mild side effects. ## The question What is the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain relief in adults? ## Hypothesis The study implicitly hypothesizes that TENS is effective and safe for pain relief in adults compared to placebo or other treatments. ## Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis included 381 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 24,532 participants. Reviewers independently screened, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias and certainty of evidence. Random effect models were used to calculate standardized mean differences (SMD) and risk ratios for mean pain intensity and proportions of participants achieving pain reductions (≥30% or ≥50%) during or immediately after TENS. ## Results Pain intensity was lower during or immediately after TENS compared with placebo (91 RCTs, 4841 participants, SMD=-0.96, moderate-certainty evidence). This effect was not modified by methodological or pain characteristics. Pain intensity was also lower during or immediately after TENS compared with pharmacological and non-pharmacological standard care treatments (61 RCTs, 3155 participants, SMD=-0.72, low-certainty evidence). Adverse events were poorly reported but generally mild and similar to comparators. ## Conclusion There is moderate-certainty evidence that pain intensity is lower during or immediately after TENS compared with placebo, and TENS is not associated with serious adverse events. ## Limitations The certainty of evidence was downgraded due to small-sized trials contributing to imprecision in magnitude estimates. Data on adverse events were limited and poorly reported. ## Verbatim from the abstract > transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for acute and chronic pain in adults ## Pain Intensity Reduction with TENS | Measure | Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) | | --- | --- | | TENS vs Placebo | -0.96 | | TENS vs Other Treatments | -0.72 | *Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) in pain intensity during or immediately after TENS compared to placebo or other treatments.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | TENS Pain-Relief Unit | Moderate evidence | [TENS Pain-Relief Unit](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/170.md) | ## Reference 1. **Evidence: gate-control nerve stimulation** BMJ Open 2022 · [PMID 35144946](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35144946/) · [DOI 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051073](https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051073) > transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for acute and chronic pain in adults ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s170.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s170.html","name":"Evidence: gate-control nerve stimulation","description":"TENS effectively reduces pain intensity compared to placebo with generally mild side effects.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s170.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Evidence: gate-control nerve stimulation","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s170.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s170.html#study","name":"Evidence: gate-control nerve stimulation","headline":"Evidence: gate-control nerve stimulation","datePublished":"2022","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"BMJ Open"},"identifier":"PMID:35144946","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35144946/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051073","abstract":"TENS effectively reduces pain intensity compared to placebo with generally mild side effects."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [TENS Pain-Relief Unit](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/170.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on knee pain and physical function…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d34826572.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).