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Table 2 Relationship between intervention group and control group—required as inclusion criteria

From: Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on proinflammatory cytokines: protocol for systematic review

Intervention group

Expected control group

Effect analyzed in the trial

TENS

(Electrode application)

TENS placeboa

(Electrode application)

Effect of the TENS current on the reduction of proinflammatory cytokines

TENS (electrode) + pharmacological therapyb

TENS (electrode) placeboa + pharmacological therapyb

TENS (electrode) + pharmacological therapyb

Pharmacological Therapyb

TENS by needles

(Electro-acupuncture)

Acupuncturec

  1. aPlacebo: the electrodes will be on the skin; there may be luminous indications that signal to the patient that the appliance is switched on, but the power is off
  2. bStandard pharmacological therapy: prescription of the same drugs for both groups; usually analgesic or anti-inflammatory
  3. cAcupuncture: needles should be on the same points as electro-acupuncture, but without the current working