Can Electrical Stimulation Really Ease Pain in Multiple Sclerosis?

person Savannah Martin
calendar_today Oct 22, 2025
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Can Electrical Stimulation Really Ease Pain in Multiple Sclerosis?

(Published in the UK’s peer-reviewed journal Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, Elsevier B.V.)

Welcome to another post in the ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST series — where we share university-backed studies from respected publishers, written in plain English for everyone aged 14 to 70.

This time, scientists from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Shanghai University of Sport published a systematic review and meta-analysis in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders (Elsevier UK) — a trusted peer-reviewed journal read by neurologists worldwide.

That means the study was reviewed by independent experts before it appeared online — the highest standard in academic publishing.

🔬 What was this study about?

The research team wanted to know if Electrical Stimulation Therapy (EST) can reduce pain and related symptoms in people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) — a nerve condition that often causes chronic pain.

They combined data from 10 clinical trials involving 315 participants, comparing people who received electrical stimulation with those who had regular therapy

⚙️ How did they test it?

They reviewed several gentle, non-invasive stimulation methods:

Tens Electrical Therapy (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
tDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation)
tSDCS, tRNS, and Electro-acupuncture

Pain was measured on a 0–10 Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where higher numbers meant more pain.
They also recorded changes in fatigue, depression, and quality of life.

📊 What did they find?

✅ Participants who received electrical stimulation reported, on average, 1.75 points less pain than those who didn’t receive it (p = 0.002).
✅ The 6-week (“medium-term”) programs showed the strongest results — about a 2-point drop in pain on average.
❌ There were no serious side effects, only mild tingling or temporary headaches in some people.
🧍♀️ Mood and fatigue scores stayed about the same — showing that the main benefit was pain relief.

🧠 Why does it work?

Electrical pulses may help “close the pain gate” — stimulating large sensory nerves that block pain signals from reaching the brain.
This simple effect helps reset nerve activity disrupted by MS, letting the nervous system calm down naturally.

💬 What does this mean for you?

For people dealing with chronic nerve pain, this UK-published analysis confirms that electrical therapy is both effective and safe.
It doesn’t require drugs, needles, or surgery — just gentle current to help the body manage pain on its own.
The results suggest that even a few weeks of consistent sessions can make daily life easier and movement more comfortable.

📘 Study Summary (Plain English)

Question	Answer
Where was it published?	Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders (Elsevier UK, peer-reviewed)
Who did it?	Shanghai Jiao Tong University & Shanghai University of Sport
How many people?	315 participants from 10 clinical trials
What did it test?	Electrical Stimulation Therapy (EST) vs. regular therapy
Main result?	1.75-point average pain drop (VAS p = 0.002)
Best duration?	Medium-term (~6 weeks)
Safety?	No major side effects
Trial registration?	PROSPERO CRD42023406787

📚 Research Reference

Fan Wu et al. (2023). Electrical Stimulation Therapy for Pain and Related Symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Published in: Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders (Elsevier UK).
DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.105114

🏆 ORIEMS FIT Mission

ORIEMS FIT — a 2024 & 2025 Australian Award-Winning Brand — makes real science easy to understand.
We translate peer-reviewed studies into everyday language so you can make informed choices without jargon or hype.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This blog post simplifies scientific research for educational purposes only.
ORIEMS FIT products are general wellness devices, not medical treatments.
Always consult a qualified professional for personal health advice.