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Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Administered by Dermatomal Stimulation Versus Acupuncture Points Stimulation


Affiliations
1 Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India
 

Background and Aims: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a nonpharmacological method based on gate theory of pain control and provides analgesia noninvasively. Application of TENS requires simple training and can be self administered by patients without any l potential for toxicity. Patients can titrate the dosage on and whenever needed. TENS can be administered by either dermatomal stimulation or by stimulation of acupuncture points for labour analgesia. This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of TENS administered by dermatomal stimulation with TENS administered by stimulation of acupuncture points.

Materials and Method: The study was conducted on 40 ASA grade 1 parturients with 37 to 42 weeks gestation in active stage without any fetal or maternal complication. Parturients were randomly allocated by computer generated random number table to one of two groups (Group D- TENS by dematomal stimulation, Group A- TENS by acupuncture points stimulation) comprising of 20 parturients each. Each group was monitored for pain scores, progress of labour and maternal and fetal outcome. The quantitative parameters were analysed using the Student-t test and Mann Whitney test. Qualitative parameters were analysed using Chi-square test/Fisher Exact test. A p value of <0.05 was taken as statistically significant.

Results: TENS administered by dermatomal stimulation causes significant decrease in VAS score and rescue analgesic requirement as compared to acupuncture point stimulation. Parturients in Group D also reported significant decrease of back pain and better ambulation as compared to Group A. Maternal and fetal outcome were similar in both groups without any side effects.

Conclusion: Pain relief in labour is better when TENS is administered by dermatomal stimulation as compared to acupuncture point stimulation.


Keywords

Acupuncture Analgesia, Obstetric Analgesia, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation.
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  • Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Administered by Dermatomal Stimulation Versus Acupuncture Points Stimulation

Abstract Views: 270  |  PDF Views: 85

Authors

Kirti N. Saxena
Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India
Sunil Shokeen
Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India
Bharti Taneja
Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India

Abstract


Background and Aims: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a nonpharmacological method based on gate theory of pain control and provides analgesia noninvasively. Application of TENS requires simple training and can be self administered by patients without any l potential for toxicity. Patients can titrate the dosage on and whenever needed. TENS can be administered by either dermatomal stimulation or by stimulation of acupuncture points for labour analgesia. This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of TENS administered by dermatomal stimulation with TENS administered by stimulation of acupuncture points.

Materials and Method: The study was conducted on 40 ASA grade 1 parturients with 37 to 42 weeks gestation in active stage without any fetal or maternal complication. Parturients were randomly allocated by computer generated random number table to one of two groups (Group D- TENS by dematomal stimulation, Group A- TENS by acupuncture points stimulation) comprising of 20 parturients each. Each group was monitored for pain scores, progress of labour and maternal and fetal outcome. The quantitative parameters were analysed using the Student-t test and Mann Whitney test. Qualitative parameters were analysed using Chi-square test/Fisher Exact test. A p value of <0.05 was taken as statistically significant.

Results: TENS administered by dermatomal stimulation causes significant decrease in VAS score and rescue analgesic requirement as compared to acupuncture point stimulation. Parturients in Group D also reported significant decrease of back pain and better ambulation as compared to Group A. Maternal and fetal outcome were similar in both groups without any side effects.

Conclusion: Pain relief in labour is better when TENS is administered by dermatomal stimulation as compared to acupuncture point stimulation.


Keywords


Acupuncture Analgesia, Obstetric Analgesia, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation.

References