Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Market Size and Trends

The global Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Market is estimated to be valued at USD 3.91 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 5.23 Bn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% from 2024 to 2031.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Market Key Factors

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The transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period. The rising geriatric population suffering from osteoarthritis and chronic pain disorders is expected to drive the demand for TENS devices. Additionally, the increasing preference for non-invasive pain treatment modalities as compared to opioid medications is also augmenting the market growth. Moreover, ongoing technological advancements resulting in compact and smaller TENS devices with enhanced features is further fueling the demand. Various new product launches by the top players with improved usability and efficacy is also boosting the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation industry. However, availability of alternative pain treatment options and poor reimbursement policies in some regions may hamper the market growth to some extent during the forecast years.

Rising prevalence of chronic pain

The global prevalence of chronic pain is steadily increasing over the years. According to some estimations, almost 20% of the global adult population suffers from chronic pain. Chronic pain conditions like back pain, arthritis, neuropathic pain, etc. have a significant impact on the quality of life as well as pose a huge economic burden. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy has emerged as an effective non-invasive pain management technique for treating various types of chronic pain. TENS device delivers mild electrical signals to the body through electrodes placed on the skin. This masks the sensation of pain by stimulating the nerves under the skin and releasing endorphins which are the body's natural pain relievers. Compared to oral pain medications, TENS therapy does not have major side effects and risks of addiction or overdose. With the growing chronic pain population worldwide and limitations of conventional pain therapies, demand for TENS devices is increasing significantly. This favorable shift towards non-invasive pain management solutions is a major driver propelling the growth of the global TENS market. For instance, the May 2023 article from the National Institutes of Health highlighted the following key points: a high incidence of new chronic pain cases, significant progression from non-chronic to chronic pain, persistent chronic pain rates, and a minority of individuals achieving pain-free status after experiencing chronic pain. These findings underscore the importance of early intervention and ongoing management strategies in addressing chronic pain effectively.

Increasing preference for drug-free pain management solutions

The rising concerns regarding over-prescription and overuse of opioids and other pain medications have boosted interest in non-pharmacological pain management therapies. Various studies have shown a strong link between long-term use of opioids and risk of addiction, overdose, and death. Due to these risks, patients are showing heightened interest in exploring alternative treatment options for chronic pain that do not involve regular intake of pain medications. At the same time, certain population groups like pregnant women and elderly prefer avoiding medications during pregnancy and due to higher risk of side effects respectively. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation provides a simple, drug-free and needle-free solution for managing both acute and chronic pain. TENS devices do not have major safety issues and risk of dependence like oral pain medications. This has increased their acceptability as first-line treatments for many painful conditions. The preference for safer pain management solutions without pharmaceutical dependencies is a key factor driving more patients and healthcare providers to consider TENS therapy. For instance, in September 2020, NeuroMetrix Inc., a provider of neurostimulation medical devices, launched the Quell App for Apple Watch users. This wearable TENS device is designed for knee, foot, and leg pain and is available over the counter (OTC).