The effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the treatment of lichen simplex: a prospective study.
BACKGROUND
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has recently emerged as a possible effective treatment for pruritic dermatoses. Lichen simplex (LS) is one such condition, which may persist despite intensive topical treatments.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of TENS treatment in relieving pruritus in lichen simplex.


METHODS
In total, 22 patients with LS unresponsive to topical corticosteroids underwent TENS treatment. The patients rated the pruritus intensity on a visual analogue scale (VAS).


RESULTS
The mean reduction in VAS score from baseline to the end of 4 weeks treatment was 4.50 (95% CI 3.65-5.34) for all patients. The difference between the baseline and at the end of the study was significant (P < 0.01). By the end of the study, 18 (80%) of the subjects experienced a reduction in pruritus intensity of > 50%.


CONCLUSIONS
From our clinical observation, we suggest that TENS may prove to be a useful and well-tolerated treatment modality for the treatment of pruritus in patients with LS.
Engin
B
B
Department of Dermatology, Seluck University, Konya, Turkey. burhanengin2000@yahoo.com
Tufekci
O
O
Yazici
A
A
Ozdemir
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009450:Neurodermatitis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D005938:Glucocorticoids