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.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
We develop Medical Policies to provide guidance to Members and Providers. This Medical Policy relates only to the services or supplies described in it. The existence of a Medical Policy is not an authorization, certification, explanation of benefits or a contract for the service (or supply) that is referenced in the Medical Policy. For a determination of the benefits that a Member is entitled to receive under his or her health plan, the Member's health plan must be reviewed. If there is a conflict between the Medical Policy and a health plan, the express terms of the health plan will govern.
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
Cekman, N., Salman, B., Keles, Z., Aslan, M., & Akcabay, M. (2005) Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the prevention of post operative nausea and vomiting after elective cholecystectomy. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia 2007 (19), 49-52. (Level 2 Evidence)
Frey, U., Scharmann, P., Löhlein, C., & Peters, J. (2009) P6 acustimulation effectively decreases post operative nausea and vomiting in high risk patients. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 102 (5), 620-625. (Level 2 Evidence)
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. (Level 2 Evidence - Independent)
U. S. Food and Drug Administration. (2004, May). Center for Devices and Radiological Health. 510(k) Premarket Notification Database. K040512. Retrieved February 11, 2011 from http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm?ID=14518.
Winifred S. Hayes. Medical Technology Directory. (2006, February; last update search March 2010). Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for the Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting. Retrieved February 11, 2011 from www.Hayesinc.com/subscribers.
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 7/1/2000
MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 4/14/2011
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