Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for the Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting
DESCRIPTION
A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device consists of an electronic stimulus generator that transmits pulses of electric current to electrodes on the skin. The use of a TENS device for the treatment of nausea and vomiting continues to be investigated.
POLICY
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for the treatment of nausea and vomiting is considered investigational.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
No controlled studies were found in the published literature that validate the application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for nausea and vomiting or provide comparisons to other types of treatments.
SOURCES
Chen, L., Tang, J., White, P. F., Sloninsky, A., Wender, R. H., Naruse, R., et al. (1998). The effect of location of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on postoperative opioid analgesic requirement: Acupoint versus nonacupoint stimulation. Anesthesia and Analgesia, 87 (5), 1129-1134.
Habib, A. S., Itchon-Ramos, N., Phillips-Bute, B. G., Gan, T. J., & Duke Women’s Anesthesia (DWA) Research Group. (2006). Transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation with theReliefBand for the prevention of nausea and vomiting during and after cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Anesthesia and Analgesia, 102 (2), 581-584.
Hayes. Medical Technology Directory. (2006, February). Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for the Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting. Retrieved June 19, 2007 from www.Hayesinc.com/subscribers.
Pearl, M. L., Fischer, M., McCauley, D. L., Valea, F. A., & Chalas, E. (1999). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation as an adjunct for controlling chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in gynecologic oncology patients. Cancer Nursing, 22 (4), 307-311.
Zarate, E., Mingus, M., White, P. F., Chiu, J. W., Scuderi, P., Loskota, W., et al. (2001). The use of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation for preventing nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic surgery. Anesthesia and Analgesia, 92 (3), 629-635.
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 7/1/2000
MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 7/9/2009
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