Usability and Clinical Evaluation of a Wearable TENS Device for Pain Management in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee

An evaluation of the usability and clinical benefits of a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) device offered as an adjunct to standard care for thirty patients with Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee was carried out. A four-stage approach was adopted for this evaluation using a mix of surveys, semi-structured interviews, user diaries, and patient reported outcome measures (PROMS) collected over a three-month period. The findings of the study demonstrate that a combined approach generates a richer picture of patient experience while using a TENS device to manage pain at home. The study also points to how such an approach, that captures insights into the user's experience alongside PROMS can explain the differences between patients who adopt and benefit from these devices and those who do not.