Wearable TENS Device Offers Hope for Long COVID Relief

A groundbreaking _study_, co-led by **UCLA** and **Baylor College of Medicine**, reveals that a wearable Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (**TENS**) device could provide relief from the persistent pain and fatigue linked to long COVID. Published in the _Nature Scientific Reports_, the research explores how low-voltage electrical currents can help reduce pain, fatigue, and enhance mobility in affected individuals. The study involved 25 participants who were assigned either a high-dose or low-dose TENS device. Results showed significant improvements in pain relief and walking performance for the high-dose group. **Key Findings:** - The high-dose TENS group reported a 26.1% improvement in pain relief compared to the placebo. - Walking ability improved by 8% during fast walking. - Participants noted a higher perceived benefit from the device. The wearable nature, allowing daily seamless use, was a critical factor in the device's effectiveness. Co-lead Dr. Bijan Najafi suggests that while the device shows promise for long COVID, it could also aid individuals with other respiratory diseases or chronic conditions like fibromyalgia. However, further studies are needed to confirm these potential applications and address the limited sample size of this study. The research received funding from the National Science Foundation's Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers and featured support from Neurometrix Inc., manufacturers of the Quell® TENS device.