Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is the use of electric current produced by a device to stimulate the nerves for therapeutic purposes. TENS is a non-invasive, low-risk nerve stimulation intended to reduce pain, both acute and chronic. TENS has been used as a solution for back pain for over 25 years and has been studied extensively to demonstrate its benefits. In a meta-analysis of studies examining the use of TENS therapy Johnson & Martinson* published a review of 39 randomised controlled trials. They concluded that the studies demonstrates a "highly significant reduction in pain with the use of ENS (TENS) compared to placebo controls". In addition Fishbain et. al.* found that 376 chronic pain patients who had used TENS therapy for 6 months or more reported average satisfaction and comfort ratings of 8.19 and 8.35 out of 10 respectively.

*Johnson and Martinson, Efficacy of electrical nerve stimulation for chronic musculoskeletal pain: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials'' Pain 130 (2007) [157-165]

*Fishbain DA, Chabal C, Abbott A, Wippermein Hein L, Cutler R. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) treatment outcome in long term users.  Clinical Journal of Pain (1996) [12: 201-14]

Back pain is a serious condition that affects millions of Australians. Hoy et. al. (2010)* published an Australian incidence of back pain as 7.5% and prevalence of 25%. The spine is the main structural support for the body and the stresses of daily activity, natural ageing process, as well as forces experienced during work or sports activities can cause back pain. The spine is a complex interconnecting network of nerves, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, all of which are capable of producing pain. There are many methods of treating back pain including massage, exercise, drugs and even surgery. Back pain sufferers need a non-surgical solution that treats the cause of the pain and enables them to lead their normal lives pain free.

*D. Hoy et al. (2010) Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology 24 [769–781]

Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries and is written as systolic/diastolic (e.g. 120/80 mmHg, stated as '120 over 80'). For use in Australian surveys, high blood pressure is defined as: systolic blood pressure (SBP) greater than or equal to 140 mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) greater than or equal to 90 mmHg, or receiving medication for high blood pressure. 

The causes of high blood pressure are both biomedical and lifestyle oriented. Major causes include overweight, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, dietary salt intake and nutrition patterns which involve a low intake of fruit and vegetables and a high intake of saturated fat. Stress raises blood pressure transiently but in the long term may have indirect effects by influencing eating, drinking smoking and physical activity patterns. Tobacco smoking increases the risk of heart attack and stroke threefold in hypertensive individuals. 

The 1999-2000 Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (which took blood pressure measurements) indicates that around 3.7 million Australians over the age of 25 had high blood pressure or were on medication for that condition. This equates to 32% of men and 27% of women. Based on self-reports from the Australian Bureau of Statistics' National Health Survey 2004-05, it is estimated that about 2.1 million Australians have high blood pressure. This corresponds to 10% of the population. However, self-reported data are not as reliable as measured data. There has been a decline in the proportion of people with high blood pressure and/or receiving treatment since the 1980s. There has also been a decline in average blood pressure levels since the 1980s. However, data from the 2004-05 study of general practice activity in Australia show that high blood pressure is the most common problem managed by general practitioners, accounting for 6% of all problems managed. 

**Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

iPhone ECG screening by practice nurses and receptionists for atrial fibrillation in general practice: the GP-SEARCH qualitative pilot study Jessica Orchard et al.Australian Family Physician. May 2014.

Feasibility and cost effectiveness of stroke prevention through community screening for atrial fibrillation using iPhone ECG in pharmacies Nicole Lowres et al.Thrombosis and Haemostasis, April 2014.

Detection of recurrent atrial fibrillation utilizing novel technology Kathleen Hickey et al.Journal of Atrial Fibrillation, Volume 6, Issue 4, Dec 2013 – Jan 2014.

Ubiquitous Wireless ECG Recording: A Powerful Tool Physicians Should Embrace Leslie A. SaxonJournal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, Volume 24, Issue 4, pages 480–483, April 2013

iPhone ECG application for community screening to detect silent atrial fibrillation: A novel technology to prevent stroke Jerrett Lau et al.International Journal of Cardiology, Volume 165, Issue 1, Pages 193-194, 30 April 2013.

iPhone Rhythm Strip. The Implications of Wireless and Ubiquitous Heart Rate Monitoring Leslie A. Saxon et al.Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2012; 59(13s1): E726-E726.

Validation of an iPhone ECG Application Suitable for Community Screening for Silent Atrial Fibrillation: A Novel Way to Prevent Stroke Jerrett Lau et al.American Heart Association Circulation. 2012; 126:A16810

Accuracy and Novelty of an Inexpensive iPhone-based Event Recorder Paul Garabelli et al.Heart Rhythm 2012: SP23. Innovation Poster Session II. Presentation IA02-1.

Since launching the WiTouch Pro in June 2013, over 4000 Australians are now enjoying the benefits of the WiTouch Pro technology for relieving their pain. As part of our focus on patient outcomes here at uHealth, we ran a study on product usage & clinical outcomes relating to WiTouch Pro among this first group of customers. Please find below some of our key outcome measures

 88% Yes 12% No

9.6% - I no longer need medication
22.4% - A lot
13.6% - About half
19.2% - A noticeable amount
35.2% - A little bit