| Barbarisi 2010 TENS vs sham TENS (30) | P300 + TENS: 4 ± 0.93 P600 + TENS: 3.8 0.95 P300 + sham TENS: 4.1 ± 1.19 P600 + sham TENS: 3.2 ± 0.81 | Postherpetic neuralgia | 15.25 ± 8.7 months | No formal or clinical neuropathic diagnostic criteria | 100 Hz (later described in text as 50 Hz) 125 µs | "Around site of pain" | "Clear non‐painful paraesthesia". Titrated to maintain strength of perception | 30 minutes daily for 4 weeks Clinic administration |
| Bi 2015 TENS vs sham TENS (52) | TENS: 5.17 ± 2.34 Sham TENS: 5.56 ± 2.07 | Spinal cord injury | 6.9 ± 3.6 months (since spinal cord injury) | No formal or clinical neuropathic diagnostic criteria | 2 Hz 200 ms | Placed "on region with pain" | 50 mA. No description of perceived sensation | 20 minutes 3 × weekly for 12 weeks Clinic administration |
| Buchmuller 2012 TENS vs sham TENS (122) | TENS: 6.15 ± 2.24 Sham TENS: 5.91 ± 2.12 | Lumbar radicular pain (subgroup data supplied by authors) | Not reported | Clinical assessment | Mixed: 80‐100 Hz alternated with 2 Hz 200 ms | Placed on low back and radicular region of pain | Low intensity paraesthesia alternated with high intensity (muscle twitches) | 1 hour. 4 × daily for 3 months Self‐administered at home |
| Casale 2013 TENS vs laser? (20) | TENS: 6 ± 0.8 Laser?: 6.6 ± 1.1 | Carpal tunnel syndrome | Not reported | Nerve conduction study | 100 Hz 80 ms | Over carpal ligament and median nerve | "Below muscle contraction" | 30 minutes 5 × weekly for 3 weeks Clinic administration |
| Celik 2013 TENS vs sham TENS (33) | TENS: 5.79 ± 2.17 Sham TENS: 5.64 ± 1.81 | Spinal cord injury | 19.1 months | LANSSa > 12 | 4 Hz 200 µs | Placed "on region with pain" | 50 mA. No description of perceived sensation | 30 minutes 1 × daily for 10 days Clinic administration |
| Gerson 1977 TENS vs drug treatment (29) | TENS: 27.0 Drug: 59.0 (0‐100) | Postherpetic neuralgia | No details | No formal or clinical neuropathic diagnostic criteria | No details | "Placed on affected dermatome" | No detail | 15 minutes 1 × weekly for 4 weeks then 1 × fortnightly for 3 weeks |
| Ghoname 1999 TENS vs PENS (64) | TENS: 7.0 ± 1.9 PENS: 7.2 ± 1.8 Sham PENS: 6.6 ± 1.9 | Lumbar radicular pain | 21 ± 9 months | Clinical assessment. Radiological assessment of nerve root compression | 4 Hz 100 ms | Placed on posterior lower limb | "Highest tolerable sensation" without muscle twitch | 30 minutes 3 × weekly for 3 weeks Clinic administration |
| Koca 2014 TENS vs IFT (75) | TENS: 8.06 ± 0.55 IFT: 8.25 ± 0.4 Splint: 8.31 ± 0.6 | Carpal tunnel syndrome | 13.3 ± 6.3 months | Nerve conduction study | 100 Hz 80 ms | Placed on "palmar aspect of hand/wrist" | No details | 20 minutes 5 × weekly for 3 weeks Clinic administration |
| Nabi 2015 TENS vs PRF sympathectomy (65) | TENS: 6.10 PRF sympathectomy: 6.46 (NRS) | Peripheral diabetic neuropathy | 12.9 ± 3 years (since diabetes onset) | Clinical diagnosis | 80 Hz 200 µs | "Around shin and ankle" | "two to three times sensory threshold" | 20 minutes 10 treatment sessions on alternate days Clinic administration |
| Őzkul 2015 TENS vs visual illusion (26) | TENS: 5.33 ± 1.20 Visual illusion: 5.33 ± 1.37 | Spinal cord injury | 12.4 ± 17.8 months | ≥ 4 on DN4 | 80 Hz 180 µs | Bilaterally around spine above level of injury | "perceptible but comfortable" | 30 minutes 5 × weekly for 2 weeks Clinic administration |
| Prabhakar 2011 TENS vs cervical spine mobilisation (75) | Not stated | Cervical radicular pain (75) | No details | No formal or clinical neuropathic diagnostic criteria | 100 Hz 50 µs | Placed at 'cervical spinal segment and distal dermatome | No details | 30 minutes 10 sessions on alternate days over 3 weeks Clinic administration |
| Rutgers 1988 TENS vs acupuncture (26) | Not stated | Postherpetic neuralgia | "3 months to 9 years" | No formal or clinical neuropathic diagnostic criteria | 100 Hz 200 µs | "Either side of painful area" | "Fairly strong sensation" | 3 × 30 minute clinic sessions week 1. Then home use for 5 weeks. No detail on home use frequency/duration |
| Serry 2015 TENS vs exercise (60) | Not stated | Peripheral diabetic neuropathy | 12.2 ± 2.3 years (since onset of neuropathy ) | No formal or clinical neuropathic diagnostic criteria | 15 Hz 250 µs | Lower leg/ankle | "Strong rhythmic muscle contractions" | 30 minutes 3 × weekly for 8 weeks Clinic administration |
| Tilak 2016 TENS vs mirror therapy | TENS: 5.00 ± 1.63 Mirror: 5.46 ± 1.67 | Phantom limb pain | 13 ± 1.5 days (since onset of phantom limb pain) | No formal or clinical neuropathic diagnostic criteria | No details | Site of pain contralateral limb | "Strong but comfortable" | 20 minutes 1 × daily for 4 days Clinic administration |
| Vitalii 2014 TENS vs sham TENS (25) | TENS: 8.09 ± 0.97 Sham TENS: 8.05 ± 1.05 | Spinal cord injury | 12.7 months | LANSS > 12 | 4 Hz 200 ms | Proximal and distal to pain region | 50 mA. No description of perceived sensation | 30 minutes 1 × daily for 10 days Clinic administration |
