title: The H-Wave small muscle fiber stimulator, a nonpharmacologic alternative for the treatment of chronic soft-tissue injury and neuropathic pain: an extended population observational study.
abstract: In a previous study, the H-Wave small-muscle fiber stimulator significantly reduced chronic pain and restored physical function among patients with pain in the lower and upper extremities and spine. In this extended population observational study, a cross-sectional,computer-administered 10-item survey was administered to 6774 patients (3367 men [49.7%], 3406 women [50.3%], and 1 sex not reported [<1%]; mean+/-SD age, 45.28+/-10.08 y; range, 18-65 y) with chronic soft-tissue injury or neuropathic pain to assess their therapeutic response. The mean+/-SE duration of self-administered H-Wave treatment before the survey was completed was 87.35+/-1.39 d. Sixty-five percent of study participants reported a reduced or eliminated need for pain medication; 79% reported improved functional capacity or activity; and 78% reported 25% or greater reduction of pain. This cross-sectional evaluation represents the largest outcome study on the benefits of the H-Wave device in patients with chronic soft-tissue injury or neuropathic pain. The results suggest that this nonpharmacologic approach may provide an important alternative to standard pharmacologic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Blum
authors.forename: Thomas J H
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martinez-Pons
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Dinubile
authors.forename: Roger L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Waite
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schoolfield
authors.forename: Seth H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Blum
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mengucci
authors.forename: B William
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Downs
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meshkin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D059408:Pain Management; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000628:therapy*