Clinically feasible transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)–pressure-cuff paradigm for conditioned pain modulation
Authors' conclusion
A TENS-pressure-cuff paradigm is a suitable approach for assessing CPM. Its variability and inter-session reliability are comparable to a conventional algometry-pressure-cuff paradigm, while exhibiting higher inter-rater reliability and sensitivity to detect inhibitory CPM responses.
Study context
- Population
- Healthy participantsExperiment 1 n=50
- Participants
- 82 participants
- Exposure
- TENS-pressure-cuff vs algometry-pressure-cuff conditioned pain modulation (CPM) paradigm
- Outcome
- Feasibility, variability and reliability of the CPM paradigm
Methodological detailstwo experiments, replication cohort, within-subject comparison of paradigms
- Two experiments
- Replication cohort
- Within-subject comparison of paradigms
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
CPM effect (Experiment 1)
| Group | Value | ΔEPT % | p | ΔPPT % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TENS | mean 5.6 mA | 17% | p<0.001 | |
| Algometry | 0.14 kg | p=0.53 | 11% |
Value
TENSmean 5.6 mA
Algometry0.14 kg
ΔEPT %
TENS17%
Algometry— not stated in the abstract
p
TENSp<0.001
Algometryp=0.53
ΔPPT %
TENS— not stated in the abstract
Algometry11%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
CPM responders
McNemar's χ² 8.47 · P = 0.004
| Outcome | TENS | Algometry |
|---|---|---|
| Inter-rater reliability (ICC) | 0.84 (95% CI 0.69–0.92) | 0.27 (95% CI −0.09–0.57) |
| Inter-session reliability | 0.57 (95% CI 0.26–0.76) | 0.11 (95% CI −0.50–-0.29) |
CPM effect, Experiment 2 (independent cohort, n=32)
- ΔEPT (TENS-pressure-cuff) remained significant
- P = 0.026
- ΔPPT (algometry-pressure-cuff) not significant
- P = 0.06
- Comparable coefficient of variation (CVs) and standardized response mean (SRMs) between paradigms
Inter-rater reliability (ICC)
- Higher for TENS than algometry
Inter-session reliability
- No difference in inter-session reliability
Original publication
Clinically feasible TENS–pressure-cuff paradigm for conditioned pain modulation. Reg Anesth Pain Med. Published 10 March 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →