Efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for pain relief in women undergoing office endometrial biopsy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for decreasing pain related with office endometrial biopsy.


METHODS
In this prospective study, 65 women undergoing office endometrial biopsy were randomly allocated to receive 550 mg oral naproxen sodium plus active TENS (Group I, n = 33) or 550 mg oral naproxen sodium plus placebo TENS (Group II, n = 32). The intensity of pain perceived by the patients was measured using a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS) before insertion of the speculum, when the cervix grasped, immediately after biopsy, and 15 min after the procedure. The effect of anxiety (Spielberger's state anxiety inventory) on pain scores was also investigated.


RESULTS
There were no statistical significant differences between groups in age, weight, body mass index, gravidity, parity, education, and menopausal status (p > 0.05). The pain scores before insertion of the speculum, when the cervix grasped, and immediately after biopsy were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). But at 15 min after the procedure, there was a significant reduction of the mean VAS pain score in naproxen sodium plus TENS group, compared with the naproxen sodium plus placebo TENS group (0.14 ± 0.47, 1.44 ± 1.37, respectively, p < 0.0001). The mean anxiety scores were 48.19 ± 6.71 and 45.85 ± 6.22 in Group I and Group II, respectively. We did not find any significant correlation between anxiety and VAS pain scores (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
TENS appears to be successful in decreasing pain only after the procedure undergoing office endometrial biopsy. It can be used as a simple, cheap, safe, and effective pain relief method.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Afyonkarahisar University Faculty of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar Kocatepe Universitesi, Tip Fakültesi, Kadin Hastaliklari ve Dogum AD, Izmir Yolu, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. drmehmetyilmazer@yahoo.com
Mehmet
M
Yilmazer
Seda
S
Kose
Dagıstan Tolga
DT
Arioz
Gulengul
G
Koken
Omer
O
Ozbulut
D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000698:Analgesia; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009288:Naproxen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D009288:Naproxen