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The H-Wave® small muscle fiber stimulator, a nonpharmacologic alternative for the treatment of chronic soft-tissue injury and neuropathic pain: an extended population observational study

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Abstract

In a previous study, the H-Wave small-muscle fiber stimulator significantly reduced chronic pain and restored physical function among patients with pain in the lower and upper extremities and spine. In this extended population observational study, a cross-sectional, computer-administered 10-item survey was administered to 6774 patients (3367 men [49.7%], 3406 women [50.3%], and 1 sex not reported [<1%]; mean±SD age, 45.28±10.08 y; range, 18–65 y) with chronic soft-tissue injury or neuropathic pain to assess their therapeutic response. The mean±SE duration of self-administered H-Wave treatment before the survey was completed was 87.35±1.39 d. Sixty-five percent of study participants reported a reduced or eliminated need for pain medication; 79% reported improved functional capacity or activity; and 78% reported 25% or greater reduction of pain. This cross-sectional evaluation represents the largest outcome study on the benefits of the H-Wave device in patients with chronic soft-tissue injury or neuropathic pain. The results suggest that this nonpharmacologic approach may provide an important alternative to standard pharmacologic treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine Medical Center Boulevard, 27157, Winston-Salem, NC

    Kenneth Blum PhD

  2. Chang Jung Christian University Tainan and Changhua Christian Hospital Changhua, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Thomas J. H. Chen PhD

  3. School of Education, Brooklyn College, CUNY, New York, New York

    Manuel Martinez- Pons PhD

  4. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Haverton, Pennsylvania

    N. A. DiNubile MD (Orthopedic Surgeon Clinical Assist Prof of Orthopedic Surgery)

  5. Euro-American Nutraceuticals, Inc., San Diego, California

    Roger L. Waite DC

  6. Department of Academic Informatics Services, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas

    John Schoolfield MS

  7. Synaptamine, Inc., San Antonio, Texas

    Seth H. Blum BA & Julie Mengucci RN

  8. Allied Nutraceutical Research Lederach, Pennsylvania

    B. William Downs BSc

  9. Salugen, Inc., San Diego, California

    Brian Meshkin BSc

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  1. Kenneth Blum PhD
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  2. Thomas J. H. Chen PhD
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  3. Manuel Martinez- Pons PhD
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  4. N. A. DiNubile MD
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  5. Roger L. Waite DC
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  6. John Schoolfield MS
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  7. Seth H. Blum BA
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  8. Julie Mengucci RN
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  9. B. William Downs BSc
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  10. Brian Meshkin BSc
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Blum, K., Chen, T.J.H., Pons, M.M. et al. The H-Wave® small muscle fiber stimulator, a nonpharmacologic alternative for the treatment of chronic soft-tissue injury and neuropathic pain: an extended population observational study. Adv Therapy 23, 739–749 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02850314

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