Auricular TENS for Posthysterectomy Pain Relief
Author Information
Author(s): Tsang Hin Cheung, Lam Chi Shan, Chu Ping Wing, Yap Jacqueline, Fung Tak Yuen, Cheing Gladys L. Y.
Primary Institution: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hypothesis
Auricular TENS produces a greater analgesic effect than sham TENS or the control condition in patients after a total abdominal hysterectomy.
Conclusion
Auricular TENS significantly reduced resting and movement-evoked pain after hysterectomy, lasting for at least 30 minutes.
Supporting Evidence
- Auricular TENS significantly reduced VAS-rest, VAS-huff, and VAS-cough scores compared to baseline.
- The true TENS group had significantly lower pain scores than the control group at 15 and 30 minutes post-intervention.
- Sham TENS did not show significant pain reduction compared to the control group.
Takeaway
Using a special type of electrical stimulation on the ear can help reduce pain after surgery, making it easier for patients to feel comfortable.
Methodology
Forty-eight women were randomly assigned to receive either true TENS, sham TENS, or no stimulation, with pain assessed using a visual analogue scale.
Potential Biases
Potential for placebo effects in the sham TENS group.
Limitations
The study excluded patients over 60, which may limit the generalizability of the results to older populations.
Participant Demographics
Women who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, aged below 60.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P = .001 for VAS-rest, P = .004 for VAS-huff, P = .001 for VAS-cough.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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