Comparing the Effect of Conventional TENS with Acupuncture TENS on Post-Operative Pain Relief

Fariba Mazhari1*, Ali Ravari2, Shahin Heidari2 and Dadollah Shahimoridi3

1Department of Fundamental Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Geriatric Care Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran
2Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Geriatric Care Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran
3Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran

^*Correspondance to: Fariba Mazhari 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.3308

Abstract

Background: From the patient's point of view, the most important problem after surgery is pain. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a safe, non-invasive, safe, and pain-free way to control pain. Since there are few studies comparing the effect of conventional TENS and acupuncture TENS in relieving acute pain, this study was performed to compare the effect of these two types of TENS on pain relief after abdominal surgery. Methods: 90 patients with a Mean age of 33.19 ± 4.15 undergone inguinal herniorrhaphy and appendectomy were included in the study. The patients were having pain intensity of 7 or more on the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). They were divided into three groups by the random allocation method. Group A: Conventional TENS (CT), Group B: Acupuncture TENS (AT), and Group C: Placebo TENS. All patients received standard post-operative medications. Pain intensity was recorded on NPRS pre, immediately, and one hour post-intervention. Results: Both Acupuncture TENS and Conventional TENS significantly decreased postoperative pain intensity as compared to Placebo TENS (p<0.0001). The results showed that the Conventional TENS was more effective than Acupuncture TENS. Conclusions: This study showed that both types of TENS were effective in reducing post-operative pain. Therefore, TENS, especially the CT, can be used as an effective adjuvant method, along with other methods of post-operative pain relief.

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Cite the article

Mazhari F, Ravari A, Heidari S, Shahimoridi D. Comparing the Effect of Conventional TENS with Acupuncture TENS on Post-Operative Pain Relief. Clin Surg. 2021; 6: 3308..