Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator for procedural pain associated with intravenous needlesticks

Area of Science:

• Pain Management
• Medical Devices
• Patient Experience

Background:

• Venipuncture is a common medical procedure often associated with significant patient pain and discomfort.
• Minimizing procedural pain is crucial for enhancing patient satisfaction and adherence to medical treatments.
• Exploring non-pharmacological methods for pain relief during venipuncture is an area of ongoing research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) in reducing pain and unpleasantness during intravenous (IV) needle insertion.
• To compare the effects of TENS, placebo-TENS, and a control group on patient-reported outcomes.
• To provide evidence for the use of TENS as a potential intervention for procedural pain.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 71 subjects.
• Participants were allocated to one of three groups: active TENS, placebo-TENS, or a control group.
• Patient-reported pain and unpleasantness levels associated with IV needle insertion were assessed.

Main Results:

• The group receiving active TENS reported significantly lower levels of pain and unpleasantness compared to the placebo-TENS and control groups.
• The placebo-TENS group showed no significant difference in pain perception compared to the control group.
• These findings suggest a specific effect of TENS beyond placebo in mitigating venipuncture discomfort.

Conclusions:

• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is an effective method for reducing pain and unpleasantness during venipuncture.
• TENS offers a non-invasive, non-pharmacological option for improving patient comfort during IV procedures.
• Further research may explore optimal TENS parameters and its application in diverse patient populations.