title: Use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for postoperative pain.
abstract: This study examined the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on incisional pain caused by the procedure of cleaning and packing an abdominal surgical wound. Seventy-five subjects (mean age 56.9 years) were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups: TENS, placebo-TENS, or no-treatment control. The appropriate experimental treatment was administered during the routine dressing change which took place two mornings after surgery. Using an 11-point, visual analogue pain scale, subjects described pain experienced during the dressing change. Subjects who received TENS reported a significantly lower level of pain after dressing change than did those subjects who received either placebo-TENS or no-treatment. Drug administration variables did not contribute significantly to level of reported pain.
authors: Misericordia Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Hargreaves
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Lander
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001458:Bandages; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation