Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Postoperative Pain Relief: Difference between revisions

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The success of [[Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)|Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation]] in the management of chronic pain along with its absence of side effects, particularly respiratory depression, has led to its recent use in the management of post-operative pain. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is an effective adjunctive therapy for postoperative pain; however, effects of different frequencies of stimulation have not been systematically investigated.
The success of [[Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)|Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation]] in the management of chronic pain along with its absence of side effects, particularly respiratory depression, has led to its recent use in the management of post-operative pain. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is an effective adjunctive therapy for postoperative pain; however, effects of different frequencies of stimulation have not been systematically investigated.
== Description ==
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a non-pharmacologic strategy that is used to treat postoperative pain during cardiac operations,cholecystectomy,cesarean delivery, and thoracotomy. A systematic review by ' Bjordal and colleagues' showed decrease in the use of analgesic in patients using TENS post-operatively. The use of TENS in treatment plan reduces the occurrence of postoperative complications, such as paralytic ileum, atelectasis, and improves pulmonary function. However, some surgical procedures have been reported to be too painful for TENS to have a significant effect on the pain, such as in severe postoperative pain following posterior thoracotomy.<ref name=":0" />
Since 1970,TENS has been used as a complementary therapeutic method to control acute and chronic pain of various abdominal and thoracic surgeries. It is based on the|Gate Control theory of pain, in which the modulation of pain results from the activation of descending inhibitory pathways. TENS is a safe and simple method whose daily repeated application produces analgesic tolerance at spinal opioid receptors and increases the toleration threshold of pain. Also, TENS leads to the release of endorphins and serotonin and analgesic hormones and reduction of cytokine levels. Furthermore, electrical stimulation indirectly improves muscle spasm by increasing blood flow to muscle tissue. In the 2015 study by Galli, Chiavegato, and Liebano conducted on 74 kidney donors, patients in TENS group had significantly lower pain during respiratory maneuvers and higher maximal expiratory pressure compared with the control group. In another study, Fiorelli et al. (2012) applied TENS after thoracotomy for 5 consecutive days and found that pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] to forced volume capacity [FVC] ratio) was significantly better and blood cytokine levels and narcotic consumption were significantly lower in the TENS group than the placebo group. In addition to the pain relief action of TENS, Unterrainer et al. (2010) reported the effectiveness of TENS in improving cognitive functions in patients undergoing spinal surgery.
Hence, simultaneous use of TENS with pharmacologic therapies for analgesia should produce a greater reduction in postoperative pain and a concomitantly decreasing medicine intake, reducing side effects, and improving treatment for pain.<ref name=":0" />


=== '''How Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is applied''' ===
=== '''How Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is applied''' ===
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[[Category:Electrotherapy]]
[[Category:Electrotherapy]]
[[Category:Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation]]
[[Category:Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation]]
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Revision as of 18:06, 16 September 2020

Original Editor - Aminat Abolade

Top Contributors - Aminat Abolade, Kim Jackson and Leana Louw  

Introduction[edit | edit source]

ElectricalMusclestimulation.jpg

Conventional approaches to the management of post-operative pain remains inadequate. Intermittent ‘on-demand’ administration of opiates results in fluctuating plasma levels and poor pain relief; increasing the frequency of administration and the amount of opiate may improve pain control but results in unwanted side effects. Intravenous opiate infusion may provide better analgesia but with the risk of respiratory depression.

The success of Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation in the management of chronic pain along with its absence of side effects, particularly respiratory depression, has led to its recent use in the management of post-operative pain. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is an effective adjunctive therapy for postoperative pain; however, effects of different frequencies of stimulation have not been systematically investigated.

How Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is applied[edit | edit source]

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