Using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to prevent post herpetic varicella zoster Neuralgia

Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN) is a common and painful complication of Varicella zoster (VZ). Antivirals are used frequently to reduce pain in acute form and prevent PHN. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)is used for many years in reduction of PHN. We aimed to evaluate the effects of TENS and compare it to antiviral therapy in treating VZ.We evaluated 191 patients, 96 in antiviral and 95 in TENS group, in a prospective study. The severity of the pain and duration of PHN was recorded. Patients followed up until 6 month or until the pain goes away.Although the pain severity in acute herpes zoster was not different in two groups, but the majority of patients that had no PHN was treated with TENS and 49 (out of 95) patients who was treated with TENS had no PHN.Our study suggests the possibility of using TENS as an effective treatment of acute Varicella zoster. It may be more effective than antiviral therapy to prevent PHN. © IDOSI Publications, 2013.