title: Adjunct High Frequency Transcutaneous Electric Stimulation (TENS) for Postoperative Pain Management during Weaning from Epidural Analgesia Following Colon Surgery: Results from a Controlled Pilot Study.
abstract: The potential benefit of nonpharmacological adjunctive therapy is not well-studied following major abdominal surgery. The aim of the present study was to investigate transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as a complementary nonpharmacological analgesia intervention during weaning from epidural analgesia (EDA) after open lower abdominal surgery. Patients were randomized to TENS and sham TENS during weaning from EDA. The effects on pain at rest, following short walk, and after deep breath were assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) grading. Number of patients assessed was lower than calculated because of change in clinical routine. Pain scores overall were low. A trend of lower pain scores was observed in the active TENS group of patients; a statistical significance between the groups was found for the pain lying prone in bed (p < .05). This controlled pilot study indicates benefits of TENS use in postoperative pain management during weaning from EDA after open colon surgery. Further studies are warranted in order to verify the potential beneficial effects from TENS during weaning from EDA after open, lower abdominal surgery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Nursing Science, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Linköping, Linköping, Sweden. Electronic address: kristofer.bjersa@ki.se.
authors.forename: Kristofer
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bjerså
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Pether
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jildenstaal
authors.affiliation: Department Anesthesia & Intensive Care, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jakobsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Östra sjukhuset, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Madelene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Egardt
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrosurgical Research and Education, Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fagevik Olsén
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016684:Prone Position; D012119:Respiration; D013548:Sweden; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking