Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is a promising novel non-pharmacological treatment alternative for mastalgia: A randomized clinical trial.

Objectives: The main objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) treatment on pain and quality of life in mastalgia, a condition for which treatment has not yet reached a consensus.

Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was completed with 20 women suffering from mastalgia. Patients were randomly assigned to the TENS treatment and sham application groups. Pain intensity, pain patterns, and quality of life were evaluated with the Breast Pain and SF-36 questionnaires before and 10 days after treatment in all patients.

Results: TENS treatment significantly reduced the total breast pain score (from 257.6±47.3 to 123.6±11.6 for the TENS group vs 217.7±42.7 to 209.7±54.4 for the sham group) (p<0.001) and analgesic use (p=0.024) compared to the sham group. The pain patterns of patients shifted to a more brief, momentary, or transient pattern in the TENS group, whereas they did not change in the sham TENS group. There was significant improvement in the total SF score (p<0.001) and six subscales of the SF-36 (physical and social functioning, energy/fatigue, pain, general health, and health change) in favor of the TENS group.

Conclusion: TENS seems to be a promising treatment for mastalgia. It is safe, has a rapid onset of action, and can be self-administered.