Journal article
Hypoalgesic Effect of the Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Following Inguinal Herniorrhaphy: A Randomized, Controlled Trial
The journal of pain, Vol.9(7), pp.623-629
2008
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2008.01.337
PMID: 18387854
Abstract
We investigated the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for inguinal herniorrhaphy postoperative pain control in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Forty patients undergoing unilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy with an epidural anesthetic technique were randomly allocated to receive either active TENS or placebo TENS. Postoperative pain was evaluated using a standard 10-point numeric rating scale (NRS). Analgesic requirements were also recorded. TENS (100 Hz, strong but comfortable sensory intensity) was applied for 30 minutes through 4 electrodes placed around the incision twice, 2 and 4 hours after surgery. Pain was assessed before and after each application of TENS and 8 and 24 hours after surgery. In the group treated with active TENS, pain intensity was significantly lower 2 hours (
P = .028), 4 hours (
P = .022), 8 hours (
P = .006), and 24 hours (
P = .001) after the surgery when compared with the group that received placebo TENS. Active TENS also decreased analgesic requirements in the postoperative period when compared with placebo TENS (
P = .001). TENS is thus beneficial for postoperative pain relief after inguinal herniorrhaphy; it has no observable side effects, and the pain-reducing effect continued for at least 24 hours. Consequently, the routine use of TENS after inguinal herniorrhaphy is recommended.
This study presents the hypoalgesic effect of high-frequency TENS for postoperative pain after inguinal herniorrhaphy. This may reinforce findings from basic science showing an opioid-like effect provided by TENS, given that high-frequency TENS has been shown to activate δ-opioid receptors.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Hypoalgesic Effect of the Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Following Inguinal Herniorrhaphy: A Randomized, Controlled Trial
- Creators
- Josimari M DeSantana - Graduate Program in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaValter J Santana-Filho - Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaDanilo Ribeiro Guerra - Department of Orthopedics, Medicine, and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, BrazilKathleen A Sluka - Graduate Program in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaRonaldo Q Gurgel - University Tiradentes, Aracaju, Sergipe, BrazilWalderi M da Silva - University Tiradentes, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The journal of pain, Vol.9(7), pp.623-629
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jpain.2008.01.337
- PMID
- 18387854
- ISSN
- 1526-5900
- eISSN
- 1528-8447
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2008
- Academic Unit
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Nursing; Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science; Neuroscience and Pharmacology
- Record Identifier
- 9984040377702771
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