Acupuncture-like stimulation with codetron for rehabilitation of patients with chronic pain syndrome and osteoarthritis

Abstract

Acupuncture is one of the oldest healing methods which is used in traditional medicine. In the modern medicine, we are witnessing a renaissance of this ancient treatment applied mainly in the management of chronic pain. A number of modern technological changes are being applied to replace, or modify, the classical needle treatment. Among many modalities used today is the novel addition in Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) called CODETRON which delivers acupuncture-like stimulation in a random order. CODETRON was developed by a Canadian Scientist and had been evaluated in a clinical trial in a multidisciplinary pain clinic on patients who came for acupuncture therapy over a period of two years. Indications, effectiveness and experiences with this form of treatment are presented. In addition, results obtained from a six week double-blind randomized placebo controlled pilot trial of osteoarthritis of the hip/knee with CODETRON which was conducted later. The results were highly suggestive of the beneficial effect of this nonhabituating mode of therapy and confirmed our initial uncontrolled trial results.