Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · May 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyPrevention of post-herpetic neuralgia using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of herpes zoster (HZ) and is difficult to treat. The role of antiviral agents and nonpharmacologic procedures in preventing PHN is not entirely clear. Recent retrospective study showed that transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may completely prevent PHN. The aim of our study was to identify predictors for PHN and evaluate the treatment with antiviral agents and TENS. ⋯ PHN cannot be completely prevented. TENS as a single therapy was found the most successful among the tested treatments in reducing the incidence of subacute herpetic neuralgia.