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Review
. 2020 Aug 1;21(Suppl 1):S3-S5.
doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaa165.

History of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation-Update for the 21st Century

Einar Ottestad  1 , Daniel S Orlovich  2
Affiliations
Review

History of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation-Update for the 21st Century

Einar Ottestad et al. Pain Med. .

Abstract

Objective: To present a history of the development of peripheral nerve stimulation.

Methods: Narrative literature review.

Results: Peripheral nerve stimulation has a history stretching from Scribonius Largus and eels in Mesopotamia to Michael Farady's discovery in London, the German-English physician Julius Althaus's application of electricity to a peripheral nerve, the sensational "Electreat" in the United States, to the application by Wall and Sweet of the gate theory proposed by Melzack and Wall to specialized neurosurgeons.

Conclusions: This is now a modern field in clinical neuroscience and medicine with improved technology, renewed interest by a diverse range of specialties, and accessibility with ultrasound.

Keywords: History; Neuromodulation; Peripheral Nerve Stimulation; Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation.

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