Transcutaneous electrical stimulation for treatment of chronic pain: a preliminary report.

Two hundred thirty patients received transcutaneous electrical stimulation for intractable pain. Although almost 60% of the patients noted some degree of pain relief, slightly less than half (43%) of those tested decided to purchase a stimulator. About 20% of those who bought stimulators did not continue to obtain pain relief from transcutaneous electrical stimulation during the two to six month follow-up period. Many others noted a decrease in the amount of pain relief they obtained.