Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and catheter-related bladder discomfort following transurethral resection of bladder tumour: A randomised controlled trial
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Published on: August 30, 2024
Jun-Young Park1, Jihion Yu, Chan-Sik Kim
1From the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea (J-YP, JY, C-SK, TM, Y-KK), Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Kangwon National University Hospital, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea (J-WB).
Background:
Catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) is problematic in patients with a urinary catheter. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive analgesic modality used to relieve various types of pain.
Objectives:
We evaluated the effect of TENS on CRBD after transurethral resection of bladder tumours (TURBT).
Design:
A randomised controlled trial.
Setting:
A large university tertiary hospital, from October 2022 to March 2023.
Patients:
Patients requiring urinary catheterisation after TURBT.
Intervention:
In this randomised controlled trial, patients were randomly allocated to the TENS ( n = 56) or control ( n = 56) groups. CRBD manifests as a burning sensation with an urge to void or discomfort in the suprapubic area. Moderate to severe CRBD was defined as patients self-reporting CRBD symptoms with or without behavioural response, including attempts to remove the urinary catheter, intense verbal reactions, and flailing limbs. TENS was performed from the end of surgery to 1 h postoperatively.
Main Outcome Measure:
The primary endpoint was considered moderate to severe CRBD immediately postoperatively. Secondary endpoints included moderate to severe CRBD at 1, 2 and 6 h postoperatively. Additionally, postoperative pain, patient satisfaction, and TENS-related adverse effects were evaluated.
Results:
Moderate to severe CRBD immediately postoperatively was significantly less frequent in the TENS group than in the control group: 10 (17.9%) vs. 34 (60.7%); P < 0.001; relative risk (95% CI) = 0.294 (0.161 to 0.536); absolute risk reduction = 0.43; number needed to treat = 2.3. Moderate to severe CRBD differed between the two groups at 1 h postoperatively: 1 (1.8%) vs. 16 (28.6%); P < 0.001; relative risk = 0.06 (95% CI 0.01 to 0.46); absolute risk reduction = 0.27; number needed to treat = 3.7. The TENS group exhibited a significantly lower score for postoperative pain at 1 h (1.8 ± 0.6 vs. 2.2 ± 0.4; P < 0.001, mean difference (95% CI) = 0.4 (0.2 to 0.6) and a higher score for patient satisfaction, 5.0 (4.0 to 6.0) vs. 3.0 (3.0 to 4.0); P < 0.001; median difference (95% CI) = 2.0 (1.0 to 2.0).
Conclusions:
TENS reduced moderate to severe CRBD, decreased postoperative pain, and increased patient satisfaction after TURBT.
Clinical Trial Registry:
Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0007450).
