The Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Pain Intensity and Analgesic Consumption after Cesarean Section
Student Research in Translational Medicine,
Vol. 7 (2025),
1 March 2025,
Page 1-6
https://doi.org/10.22037/srtm.v7.47107
Background and Aim: Different approaches have been investigated to reduce pain after cesarean section. Among these measures is the use of non- pharmacological methods. Since the results of previous studies on the effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on reducing pain after cesarean section are of low certainty, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of TENS on pain intensity and consumption of analgesics after cesarean section.
Methods: In this clinical trial that was conducted in 2023 and 2024, for 40 women who underwent cesarean section under spinal anesthesia, pethidine and diclofenac or pethidine and diclofenac and TENS was administered with a frequency of 80 Hz and an intensity between 0 and 80 mA. The number of prescribed analgesics and pain intensity and patient satisfaction were investigated. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16 statistical software and independent student t test, Mann- Whitney, Chi- squared and Repeated measures ANOVA statistical tests. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The data showed that the two groups had a significant difference only in the pain score in the second hour and the patients' satisfaction with the analgesia process, and the pain intensity in the other hours and the number of analgesics consumed in the two groups did not differ significantly.
Conclusion: The use of TENS after cesarean section reduces the pain in the second hour after the surgery, but it does not reduce the pain in the following hours and the use of analgesics after the cesarean section.