The Analgesic Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on Caesarean Under Spinal Anaesthesia

Background and Aim: The pain is an important concern and unpleasant outcome for delivered mothers after cesarean section which might result in problems such as poor bonding between mothers and newborn. Trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non pharmacological and non-invasive method that relieves pain. The aim of this study is to assess the analgesic effect of TENS on cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Material and Methods: This study included 108 patients from Mostafa Khomeini hospital Ilam, who have been enrolled as study subjects. 54 subjects were randomly allocated to each of study arms (TENS i.e. Intervention & Control group). A standardized questionnaire was used for data collection and Visual analogue Scale (VAS) was used to determine severity of pain. The surgery and anesthesia procedure in intervention and control groups was identical. Pain intensity and vital signs were monitored in both experimental and control group during first 24 hours. Result: The result of this study showed that intensity of pain and usage of sedative drug remarkably reduced after use of TENS (p<0.001, p<0.05, p<0.001). The mean blood pressure and respiratory rate four hour after surgery in intervention group was significantly less when compared to control group (p<0.001). Patient satisfaction was significantly better in intervention group than the control group (p<0.001). Conclusion: TENS may be used as an effective, non invasive and non pharmacological approach for reducing post caesarian section pain with reduced use of analgesics. This might lead to better outcomes in pain control and facilitating development of bonding between mother and baby. Key word: Pain, Caesarean, TENS.