The evidence behind TENS for labour pain relief
There is a growing body of clinical research exploring the use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) during labour. Research has investigated how TENS may help women manage labour pain, delay the need for pharmacological pain relief and support a positive birth experience.
Below is a selection of clinical studies highlighting findings from research into TENS during labour, including studies involving thousands of women. Together, these studies provide an insight into how TENS has been used as a non-invasive option for managing pain during different stages of labour. At the foot of this page, you can find many more studies on TENS in labour.
Explore the research below, and discover how TENS may support women throughout labour.
1. Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Labour Pain Relief Among Mothers - Elle TENS Clinical Trial
Ramamoorthy V, Sumathi G, Mahalakshmi V, Seetha P (2016)
1,041 pregnant women
This clinical trial investigated the use of the Elle TENS for labour pain relief among both first-time mothers and mothers who had previously given birth.
Key findings
-
50% of mothers experienced excellent pain relief using the Elle TENS.
-
47% experienced good pain relief.
-
Less than 2% reported fair or no pain relief.
-
Among the 1,041 women who used the Elle TENS for labour pain relief, 88% had a vaginal delivery and 12% underwent a caesarean section.
-
Women who had been educated about the effectiveness of the Elle TENS during labour felt more confident using the equipment.
-
Elle TENS was associated with shorter durations of both the first and second stages of labour, as well as a higher rate of spontaneous delivery.
Study conclusion
The study concluded that the Elle TENS was effective for managing labour pain and could be used during different stages of labour by both first-time and experienced mothers.
“Overall, the Elle TENS was found to be effective for managing labour pain and can be used during the different stages of labor by both first-time and experienced mothers.”
2. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Pain Management for Women in Labor
Linda Daniel, MSN, RN, CPHQ, C-ONQS; Jennifer Benson, MSN, RN, CPHQ; Stephen Hoover, MSBA (2020)
272 women
This nurse-led research initiative explored whether TENS could provide women with an alternative option for managing pain during early labour.
Key findings
-
78% of women agreed that TENS helped them manage early labour pain.
-
80% said they would recommend TENS for managing early labour pain.
-
72% said they would use TENS again.
-
Pain scores were significantly decreased in self-assessed pain two hours after TENS was initiated.
Study conclusion
The research suggested that TENS may be an alternative pain relief option for women during early labour. The majority of women reported that TENS helped them manage early labour pain and recommended its use.
The researchers also highlighted TENS as a low-cost, low-intervention treatment option that may help women manage the discomforts of early labour and potentially remain at home for longer.
“TENS provides a distraction from contractions and generates a sense of control to help women manage the discomforts of labor and possibly remain home longer.”
3. TENS Reduces Pain and Postpones the Need for Pharmacological Analgesia During Labour
Santana LS, Gallo RB, Ferreira CHJ, Duarte G, Quintana SM, Marcolin AC (2016)
Randomised clinical trial
This randomised clinical trial investigated whether TENS administered at the beginning of the active phase of labour could help reduce pain and delay the need for pharmacological pain relief.
Key findings
Women who received TENS reported significantly lower levels of pain compared with the control group.
The study found that TENS:
-
Significantly reduced reported pain levels.
-
Postponed the need for pharmacological analgesia.
-
Allowed women to delay requesting pharmacological pain relief.
-
Did not result in reported detrimental maternal or perinatal effects.
-
Was associated with a high level of satisfaction among women who used it.
Among the women in the experimental group, 74% reported being satisfied with TENS, while 100% said they would prefer to use the method again for future childbirths.
Study conclusion
The researchers concluded that TENS administered at the beginning of the active phase of labour produced a significant decrease in pain and postponed the need for pharmacological analgesia.
“Women who received TENS reported significantly lower levels of pain compared to the control group.”
4. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Adjuvant Pain-Relief During Labor and Delivery
B Kaplan, D Rabinerson, S Lurie, J Bar, U R Krieser, A Neri (1998)
104 women
This study investigated the use of TENS as a non-pharmacological, non-invasive method of pain relief during labour and delivery.
Key findings
-
72% of nulliparous women considered TENS effective for relieving pain during labour.
-
69% of multiparous women considered TENS effective.
-
67% of nulliparous women and 60% of multiparous women responded positively to using TENS in future deliveries.
-
65% of multiparous women considered TENS at least as effective as other pain relief methods they had previously used.
-
TENS was associated with a reduction in the duration of the first stage of labour.
-
The study also found a reduction in the amount of analgesic medication administered.
Safety findings
The study reported no adverse effects on mothers or newborns.
There were also no significant differences in fetal heart rate tracings, Apgar scores or cord blood pH between the TENS study group and the matched control group.
Study conclusion
The study concluded that TENS was an effective non-pharmacological, non-invasive adjunctive pain relief method for use during labour and delivery.
5. Intrapartum Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Pain Relief and Outcome of Labour
LF Ho, Irene LY Lee, Grace GY Ma (2023)
265 women
This study examined the use of TENS during labour and its association with pain relief and labour outcomes.
Key findings
-
TENS was associated with the shortest first and second stages of labour among the groups analysed.
-
The TENS group had the highest rate of spontaneous delivery.
-
38% of women experienced sufficient pain relief using TENS alone.
-
87% achieved spontaneous delivery compared with the other groups combined.
-
The findings suggested that the TENS group may have experienced a more efficient or less complicated labour.
Study conclusion
The study suggested that TENS, either alone or alongside Entonox, was sufficient for pain relief in 38% of women during the first stage of labour.
It was also associated with shorter first and second stages of labour and higher rates of spontaneous delivery. The researchers concluded that the role and potential benefits of TENS for uncomplicated labour should be explored further.
What does the research tell us?
Across these five studies, research has explored TENS as a non-invasive option for managing pain during labour, with findings including reduced reported pain, delayed use of pharmacological analgesia and positive experiences among many of the women who used TENS.
Several of the studies also reported associations between TENS use and labour outcomes such as shorter stages of labour and higher rates of spontaneous delivery. Importantly, research has also explored women's confidence, satisfaction and willingness to use TENS again during future births.
While individual studies differ in their design, participants and outcomes measured, the findings provide encouraging evidence for the role of TENS as part of a woman's options for managing labour pain.
Discover More TENS Research
The studies featured above represent just a selection of the clinical research investigating TENS during labour.
Explore below for our wider collection of clinical studies and research into TENS for labour pain relief:
Women's experiences of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for pain control in labour Shawley, Lucinda (2011) Women's experiences of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for pain control in labour.University of Southampton, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doctoral Thesis, 258pp.
Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and maternal positioning on pain and satisfaction of labour among primigravida women during the first stage of labour: an analytical case series Sopna, S. C., Jebakani, B. D., & P., S. (2024). Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and maternal positioning on pain and satisfaction of labour among primigravida women during the first stage of labour: an analytical case series. International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 13(10), 2900–2904. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20242829
Nonpharmacological Techniques of Labor Analgesia Saxena KN. Nonpharmacological techniques of labor analgesia. J Indian Coll Anaesth 2024;3:4-9.
Effect of OBG-TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) on labor outcome: a randomized controlled trial Mane, S.V. and Bhatbolan, S. (2025) Effect of OBG-tens (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) on labor outcome: A randomized controlled trial - bulletin of faculty of physical therapy, SpringerLink. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s43161-025-00291-1 (Accessed: 20 August 2026).
High and low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in post-cesarean pain intensity Lima, L.E.A. et al. (2014) (PDF) high and low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in post-cesarean pain intensity, High and low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in post-cesarean pain intensity. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269038460_High_and_low_frequency_transcutaneous_electrical_nerve_stimulation_in_post-cesarean_pain_intensity (Accessed: 20 August 2026).
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) reduces pain and postpones the need for pharmacological analgesia during labour: a randomised trial Santana LS, Gallo RB, Ferreira CH, Duarte G, Quintana SM, Marcolin AC. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) reduces pain and postpones the need for pharmacological analgesia during labour: a randomised trial. J Physiother. 2016 Jan;62(1):29-34. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2015.11.002. Epub 2015 Dec 11. PMID: 26701166.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for adjuvant pain-relief during labor and delivery Kaplan B, Rabinerson D, Lurie S, Bar J, Krieser UR, Neri A. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for adjuvant pain-relief during labor and delivery. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1998 Mar;60(3):251-5. doi: 10.1016/s0020-7292(97)00275-0. PMID: 9544709.