Exploring patients' experiences of using Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Claudication

Area of Science:

• Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) management
• Non-pharmacological pain relief strategies
• Patient-reported outcomes

Background:

• Claudication pain in PAD limits physical activity and quality of life.
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) offers potential non-pharmacological pain relief for PAD.
• Limited understanding exists regarding patient experiences with TENS in daily life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of individuals with PAD and claudication using TENS at home.
• To understand how TENS impacts daily activities and self-management of symptoms.
• To identify factors influencing the effectiveness and acceptance of TENS therapy.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving six participants with PAD and claudication.
• Participants received TENS device training for home use during daily walking.
• Data collected via focus group and individual interviews after four weeks, analyzed thematically.

Main Results:

• Four emergent themes: Pain, Expectations, Usability, and Physical and social functioning.
• Varied outcomes reported: some experienced pain reduction and improved walking, others faced unmet expectations.
• Perceived benefits were influenced by prior knowledge, device usability, and personal preferences.

Conclusions:

• TENS shows potential for self-managing claudication pain and enhancing physical activity in select PAD patients.
• Managing patient expectations and addressing TENS device usability are crucial for optimizing therapeutic outcomes.
• Healthcare providers play a vital role in patient education, tailored advice, and assessing TENS suitability within individualized care plans.