Evaluating efficacy and feasibility of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for postoperative pain after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: A randomized pilot trial. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Engen, Deborah J.; Carns, Paul E.; Allen, Mark S.; Bauer, Brent A.; Loehrer, Laura L.; Cha, Stephen S.; Chartrand, Christine M.; Eggler, Eric J.; Cutshall, Susanne M.; Wahner-Roedler, Dietlind L.
• Is Part Of: Complementary therapies in clinical practice. Volume 23(2016)
• Page Start: 141
• Page End: 148
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: Postoperative pain -- TENS -- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation -- VATS -- Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery; ASA American Society of Anesthesiologists -- OME oral morphine equivalent -- pps pulses per second -- QS quick select -- SDE standard deviation of the estimate -- TENS transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation -- VAS visual analog scale -- VATS video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery; Integrative medicine -- Periodicals; Integrative medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.04.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-3881

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been applied for pain relief after surgical procedures. This study evaluated whether TENS after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), in addition to opioid administration, decreased postoperative pain and pain medication use. Methods: In a controlled trial, 56 patients scheduled to undergo VATS were randomly assigned to TENS plus opioids (Group 1) or opioids alone (Group 2) for 48 h. Results: Forty patients completed the study. Pain scores and use of oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) were not significantly different between the groups during the first and second 24 h. A decreased use of OMEs between the first and second 24 h was significant for Group 1 ( P = .005) but not for Group 2 ( P = .11); a decreased use of OMEs between groups was not significant ( P = .35). Conclusions: A larger, well-powered clinical trial is indicated to evaluate the effects of TENS for pain control after a VATS procedure. Clinical Trial No.:NCT01046695 . Highlights: This study evaluated transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The use of TENS did not decrease pain scores during the first and second 24 h. TENS decreased pain medication use ( P = .005) between the first and second 24 h.