The dynamics of allodynia in the treatment of patients with diabetic polyneuropathy using transcutaneous electroneurostimulation

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Allodynia, hyperalgesia, and positive sensory symptoms are the main symptoms of neuropathic pain. Studying these symptoms and their dynamics in the treatment of neuropathic pain broadens our understanding of neuropathic pain and how it can be treated.

AIMS: To study the effect of different TENS modalities on allodynia in patients with severe neuropathic pain syndrome developed against the background of diabetic distal polyneuropathy of the lower extremities.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 75 patients with allodynia on the background of distal polyneuropathy of the lower extremities (DPLE) were treated with pharmacotherapy (n=26), high-frequency TENS (n=25), and low-frequency TENS (n=24).

RESULTS: Immediately after treatment, we observed a more pronounced decrease in allodynia after the application of high-frequency TENS (by 72.2%) and low-frequency TENS (by 61.1%). Moreover, in the control group, the regression of allodynia averaged 28.6%. At the 2^nd month of the long-term period, the severity of allodynia continued to decrease more rapidly against the background of high-frequency TENS (26.7%) than after low-frequency TENS (19%) and remained without significant dynamics against the background of pharmacotherapy.

CONCLUSION: The use of TENS 1.3 times enhances the therapeutic effect of pharmacotherapy in treatment of neuropathic pain in patients with diabetic DPLE. High-frequency TENS is more effective than low-frequency TENS in the treatment of allodynia by 18.2% immediately after treatment and by 40% at the end of the 2^nd long-term period. By the 6^th month of the long-term period, the results of treatment in both groups did not differ significantly.

Keywords

TENS / allodynia / neuropathic pain / distal polyneuropathy

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