title: Is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation an effective analgesia during colonoscopy?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as analgesia during colonoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomised controlled trial, patients undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy were assigned to one of three groups: standard medication only (midazolam); active TENS plus standard medication; or non-functioning TENS and standard medication. Efficacy of TENS was determined using numerical rating scores for pain and the post-procedural evaluation questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients undergoing diagnostic colonoscopy in a teaching hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistically significant differences between the three groups. However in the active TENS group there was a greater variation in "physical discomfort" and "psychological distress", suggesting TENS may be effective in subgroup of patients.
authors: Glenfield Hospital, NHS Trust, Leicester, UK.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Robinson
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Darlow
authors: S J
authors: SJ
authors: Wright
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Watters
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Carr
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Gadsby
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Mayberry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003113:Colonoscopy; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008874:Midazolam; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008874:Midazolam