Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation for post-Cesarean section analgesia

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Physiotherapeutic resources, such as transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation, used in the post-partum period are important to promote relief of pain and discomfort induced by surgical incision, thus decreasing hospitalization time and hospital costs with the use of drugs. This study aimed at measuring pain at Cesarean section incision before and after transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation.

METHODS:

This is a clinical, randomized study with blind evaluator and comparative analysis between groups. Participated in the study 60 mothers in the postpartum period of Cesarean section, who were equally distributed between intervention group (IG) and control group (CG), where the intervention group has received transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation for 30 minutes, with frequency of 100Hz and pulse width of 100ms. Visual analog scale was used as evaluation tool.

RESULTS:

When comparing pain intensity with the visual analog scale before and after electric stimulation, there has been statistical difference (p=0.001), since pre-stimulation pain median was 45.00 (36.00-60.00) and post-stimulation median was 15.50 (5.75-27.50). When comparing groups before intervention there has been no difference between them with regard to pain evaluated by the visual analog scale (p=0.948). Mean for CG was 47.70 (25.03) and for IG it was 48.10 (22.33). When comparing final results between groups did not significant difference (p=0.047), where CG median was 30.50 (13.50-53.25) and IG median was 15.50 (5.75-27.50).

CONCLUSION:

Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation is effective to relieve acute pain in the postoperative period of Cesarean section, thus making postpartum women more independent and active to perform their daily life activities.

Keywords:
Cesarean section; Pain; Physiotherapy

RESUMO

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS:

Os recursos fisioterapêuticos como a eletroestimulação nervosa transcutânea, utilizados no período pós-parto são importantes para promover o alívio da dor e do desconforto provocados pela incisão cirúrgica reduzindo assim o tempo de internação e custos hospitalares com utilização de fármacos. O objetivo deste estudo foi mensurar o nível da dor na incisão da cesariana antes e após a utilização da eletroestimulação nervosa transcutânea.

MÉTODOS:

Trata-se de um ensaio clinico randomizado, encoberto e análise comparativa entre os grupos. Foram avaliadas 60 puérperas em pós-cirúrgico de cesariana, divididas igualmente entre grupo intervenção (GI) e controle (GC), onde o grupo intervenção recebeu a eletroestimulação nervosa transcutânea durante 30 minutos, com frequência de 100Hz e largura de pulso 100ms. Como forma de avaliação utilizou-se a escala analógica visual.

RESULTADOS:

Ao comparar a intensidade da dor com a escala analógica visual antes e após a eletroestimulação, foi encontrada uma diferença estatística (p=0,001), uma vez que a mediana da dor pré-estimulação foi de 45,00 (36,00-60,00) e a mediana pós- -estimulação foi de 15,50 (5,75-27,50). Na comparação entre os grupos pré-intervenção, verificou-se que não havia diferença entre eles no que diz respeito à dor, avaliada por meio da escala analógica visual (p=0,948). No GC a média encontrada foi de 47,70 (25,03) e no GI foi de 48,10 (22,33). Ao comparar os resultados finais entre os grupos, não foi verificada diferença significativa (p=0,047), onde a mediana no GC foi de 30,50 (13,50-53,25) e no GI 15,50 (5,75-27,50).

CONCLUSÃO:

A eletroestimulação nervosa transcutânea foi eficaz na redução do quadro álgico de dores agudas de pós-operatório de cesariana, tornando dessa forma as puérperas mais independentes e ativas para realização de suas atividades de vida diária.

Descritores:
Cesariana; Dor; Fisioterapia

INTRODUCTION

Immediate puerperium, also called guard or postpartum period, is a puerperal gravid cycle phase starting after placental expulsion and has as major characteristic several discomforts, such as flatulence, pain at C-section site, constipation, abdominal colic, urinary incontinence, antalgic postures and abdominal weakness due to abdominal rectum muscle diastasis and pain, being this the most frequently reported symptom by mothers subject to C-sections^1,2.

Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) is a physiotherapeutic resource commonly used to control acute or chronic pain and acts relieving pain, by replacing or complementing analgesics. This resource is based on the pain gate theory, proposed by Melzack and Wallen in 1965. According to this theory, TENS painful perception modulation is attributed to the recruitment of afferent Aβ fibers in spinal cord dorsal horn, which would prevent or make difficult the activation of thin fibers which conduct pain^3,4.

In light of the above, this study is justified to promote patients’ independence for normal activities, such as changing position in bed, walking, personal hygiene without help, neonatal care, being necessary to relieve post C-section pain with TENS, aiming at decreasing the use of drugs and consequently hospital costs, because hospitalization time may be decreased with pain improvement, generating further independence to patients. It is also relevant because it points to the need for studies on the subject, due to the scarcity observed in the area, which may contribute by enhancing knowledge about the proposed issue.

This study aimed at measuring C-section incision pain level before and after TENS and at comparing pain improvement between intervention and placebo groups by means of the visual analog scale (VAS).

METHODS

The study was carried out in Maternidade Nossa Senhora de Lourdes, Aracaju, SE. Procedures were experimental, randomized, controlled and blind.

Study was carried out from January to March 2015. Participated in the research 60 patients who were distributed in 2 groups: intervention group – IG (n=30) and control group – CG (n=30).

Inclusion criteria were age between 18 and 42 years, being in the postoperative period of C-section from 8 to 24 hours, being patients primiparous and multiparous, with pain at incision site and being admitted to the institution. Exclusion criteria were patients with pacemakers, in the immediate postpartum period before the initial 8 hours because they would still be sedated, and those with skin injuries and/or allergies to the electrode used to apply electric stimulation⁵.

The study was carried out by two researchers. The former was responsible for applying the resource for 30 minutes and the latter for evaluating pain before and after the procedure, being the evaluator blind to the procedure. Both groups, after application of the resource, were submitted to conventional physiotherapy (guidance with regard to posture, walking and deep breath respiratory exercise)^4,6-8.

Patients included in the study were addressed and invited to participate in the study, in addition to being informed about the research. After accepting and signing the Free and Informed Consent Term (FICT), the study was started with pain evaluation and quantification by means of VAS before and after therapy.

After applying the scale, treatment was started with conventional current TENS, high frequency (F=100Hz and T=100µs), intensity according to patient’s pain threshold, duration of 30 continuous minutes, 2 cm above and below incision, with electrodes transversally positioned and crossing the incision. Patients were revaluated after the session^6,8,9. Materials used for TENS were conductive rubber electrodes (5.5 x 3cm) replaced every three applications, with a shallow teaspoon of aqueous conductive gel in each electrode, anti-allergic adhesive tape, portable, analog and gauged TENS IBRAMED^6,10,11.

This study was approved by the Institution’s Ethics Committee under CAAE: 24909813.6.0000.5371/2014.

RESULTS

Sample was made up of 60 puerperal, mean age of 27.23±5.56 years (minimum18 and maximum 42 years). In CG, mean age was 28.70±6.23 years (minimum 18 and maximum 42 years) and in IC it was 25.77±4.43 years (minimum 18 and maximum 34 years). Groups were statistically different in mean age (p=0.40).

Mean weight was 78.78±14.05kg for the general group. In CG mean was 76.52±15.68kg and in IG it was 81.12±11.98 kg with no difference between groups (p=0.220). In comparing pain intensity by VAS before and after electric stimulation (Figure 1) there has been statistical difference (p=0.001), since pain mean before stimulation was 45.00 (36.00-60.00) and pain mean after stimulation was 15.50 (5.75-27.50).

Figure 1
Medians and their quartiles before and after intervention

In comparing groups before intervention (Figure 2) there was no difference between them with regard to pain evaluated by VAS (p=0.948). Mean for CG was 47.70 (25.03) and for IG it was 48.10 (22.33). In comparing final results between groups (Figure 3) there has been no significant difference (p=0.047), where CG median was 30.50 (13.50-53.25) and IG median was 15.50 (5.75=27.50).

Figure 2
Medians and their quartiles before intervention

Figure 3
Medians and their quartiles after intervention

DISCUSSION

Our study has shown that puerperal submitted to TENS had pain decrease by VAS. Other evaluated variables were not significantly different between groups.

Authors report high perineal pain rates in the postpartum period. A study by East et al.¹² has observed that approximately 90% of women refer some perineal pain, being that for 33% of puerperal pain intensity is considered moderate and many patients refer that perineal pain interferes with their daily activities, especially walking or sitting, and may also impair their ability to sleep. Our data are compatible with this study.

It is necessary to control pain, since this prevents distress, provides higher satisfaction and improves quality of life of postpartum women. Within this context, electric therapy (represented by TENS) is a physiotherapeutic resource which may act in different puerperal conditions promoting analgesia, improving local blood flow, fluid drainage, muscle toning or relaxation and is being widely used to decrease pain related to C-section and episiotomy incisions. These data show the importance of TENS for the early return to functionality of these women^1,13,14.

A randomized study by Melo de Paula et al.¹⁵ has evaluated 30 women with abdominal and lower abdomen pain in the immediate postoperative period of C-sections, who were divided in groups A and B, each one with 15 women submitted, respectively, to electric stimulation and placebo (TENS turned-off). Researchers have used conventional current TENS (F=100Hz and T=50µs) during 50 minutes after the end of the anesthetic effect. Electrode pairs were fixed close to the incision and pain intensity was classified by VAS before and after intervention. There has been significant difference in pain intensity before and after TENS in group A patients (significance level of 5%) (A). These data are slightly different from our study, due to methodological differences, however they show the efficacy of TENS.

With regard to TENS positioning, Knobel, Radünz and Carraro¹⁶, have evaluated whether there was influence on pain relief depending on the type of electrodes. For such, they have evaluated patients with term gestation, fixing two types of electrodes (Silver Spike Point and Plaque) and fake surface electrodes in their sacral region, since the moment of their hospital admission. Pain was evaluated by VAS before TENS, 10, 30 and 60 minutes after its application and again every 60 minutes. Their results have shown no significant differences in pain intensity when both groups with different electrodes were compared. On the other hand, there has been significant pain intensity decrease in these groups as compared to the fake electrodes group, thus showing the effectiveness of TENS for pain relief. These data are compatible with our study.

According to Pitangui et al.¹⁰, in their study with 40 primiparous women who were asked about episiotomy pain through the Numeric Categorical Scale (NCS), it was observed that the group receiving TENS had lower pain intensity as compared to CG (p<0.01). Data emphasize the importance of evaluating puerperal pain before and after physiotherapeutic procedures, in this case TENS, to make visible the quantification of this pain relief. These data confirm our study.

According to results, there are clear benefits of high-frequency TENS in the postoperative period of C-section with significant pain relief and consequent better quality of life of these patients.

There were few limitations during the study period, however it was difficult to convince patients due to lack of knowledge about the area, which resulted in fear of feeling even more pain, and due to difficulties in clearly and simply understanding the scale, very often caused by the lack of college education.

Further studies are suggested, with variable parameters comparing groups with low frequency and high frequency TENS.

Further studies in the area are needed for it to become a more widely used practice, since it has shown to be important and relevant for shorter hospitalization time and faster return to daily life of these women.

CONCLUSION

There has been pain scores decrease in both groups, however with more marked decrease in the treatment group, thus showing the efficacy of TENS to decrease acute pain.

• Sponsoring sources: none.

REFERENCES

• ¹
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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Oct-Dec 2015

History

• Received
  22 June 2015
• Accepted
  16 Oct 2015