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Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is superior than placebo and control for postoperative pain relief
Maraísa Rodrigues Borges1, Nuno Miguel Lopes de Oliveira2, Izabella Barberato Silva Antonelli1
1Department of Applied Physiotherapy, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
Abstract:
Aim: To determine whether transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is more efficient than placebo TENS and control groups for pain relief. Design: Randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Setting & participants: A total of 78 adults with postoperative pain, after cholecystectomy, at the University Hospital. They were randomized into active TENS, placebo TENS and control. Intervention: A total of 30-min interventions applied in the first 24 h after the surgery. Outcome: Pain intensity. Results: Pain significantly decreased for both TENS; however, the active TENS was better. A decrease of 2 points or more on the visual analog scale for 53.8% active TENS and 11.5% placebo. Conclusion: There was a greater reduction in pain of important clinical relevance in the active TENS group. Clinical Trial registration: Brazilian Clinical Trial (REBEC): RBR-6cgx2k.
