Fibromyalgia TENS in Physical Therapy Study (TIPS): an Embedded Pragmatic Clinical Trial
Key facts
- Where
- Appleton, Big Stone City, Cedar Rapids, Chicago, Davenport, and Moline, United StatesSee the 6 sites
Where in United States
- Advanced Physical Therapy Sport MedicineAppleton, United StatesNo longer taking part
- Big Stone Therapies (BST)Big Stone City, United StatesNo longer taking part
- Kepros Physical Therapy and PerformanceCedar Rapids, United StatesNo longer taking part
- University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, United StatesNo longer taking part
- Genesis Physical TherapyDavenport, United StatesNo longer taking part
- Rock Valley Physical TherapyMoline, United StatesNo longer taking part
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Kathleen Sluka
- Trial code
- NCT04683042
- Record updated
- 4 November 2026
- Original description
The purpose of this study is to determine if addition of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) to routine physical therapy improves movement-evoked pain in patients with fibromyalgia (FM).Read full original descriptionShow less
The purpose of this study is to determine if addition of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) to routine physical therapy improves movement-evoked pain in patients with fibromyalgia (FM).
The study will also determine if addition of TENS to routine physical therapy (PT) improves disease activity and symptoms, increases adherence to physical therapy, increases the likelihood of meeting patient specific functional goals, and reduces medication use.
Inclusion: Age 18 until 99; Clinician diagnosis of FM; Referred for land-based PT; Referred for treatment for FM or chronic pain (pain lasting more than 3 months); Able to provide informed consent; Fluent in reading English; Willing to use TENS.
Exclusion: Contraindications to TENS use including:; Pacemaker, defibrillator, implanted neurostimulator or implanted device; Epilepsy; Currently pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the next 6 months; Allergic reaction to patches with gel; Current treatment for cancer; Clinically unstable medical or psychiatric issues; Currently enrolled in another pain control study; Use of TENS within the last 30 days.