Effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on post-laminectomy and dissectomy pain : Preliminary study

Abstract

Objective : To determine the effectiveness of TENS on post laminectomy and dissectomy pain and the effectiveness of TENS as patient - controlled analgesia (PCA) on post laminectomy and dissectomy pain

Study design : Randomized patient - blinded controlled trial.

Setting : Department of Orthopedics, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital

Materials and Methods : Patients post - laminectomy or dissectomy less than 3 level were randomly assigned as patient - blinded into 3 groups; each group had 10 patients: placebo TENS, time - scheduled TENS and PCA TENS. The placebo TENS group received sham TENS with no electrical stimulation but the indicator lights were flashing normally. The time - scheduled TENS group received TENS for 1 hour 3 times/day for 2 days post operatively. The PCA TENS group received TENS for at least 15 minutes whenever they felt pain. If the pain did not subside PCA morphine was used as needed in all groups. Pain scores were recorded before administration of TENS and at 48 - hour post operation. Satisfaction scores and PCA morphine requirement were recorded at 48 - hour post - operation.

Result : There was no statistically significant difference in pain scores, satisfaction scores and amount of PCA morphine used among the 3 groups at p < 0.05. Both the time - scheduled TENS and PCA TENS groups had tendency to receive PCA morphine less than the placebo TENS group. No serious complication was found in all groups.

Conclusion : There was no statistically significant difference in pain scores, satisfaction scores and amount of PCA morphine used among the 3 groups. Time-scheduled TENS and PCA TENS in post - laminectomy and dissectomy pain had tendency to decrease the amount of morphine used.