Effectiveness of frequency modulated transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (tens) on post incision pain following abdominal surgery: a prospective, randomized, placebo controlled study

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of modulated frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on relieving pain after abdominal surgery. Methodology: The study population was those who underwent abdominal surgery. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups (treated with frequency modulated TENS and placebo TENS). Both the groups were treated with the usual analgesic routine. The subjects received the treatments for 30 minutes at every time and each subject will be assessed 5 consecutive days. Per day the subject received treatment twice daily after 4 and 8 hours of post surgery. Pain was evaluated using a standard 11-point visual analog scale (VAS) before the application of TENS and after application of TENS (24, 48, 72, 96, and 120) post operative hours. Results: The study population comprised of 60 subjects aged between 25 to 50 years. To evaluate the effectiveness of modulated frequency VAS was measured five times and compared between the experimental and control group. There was a difference in median pain score over a period of time (P < 0.001) between the groups expect at base line (P = 0.854). Conclusion: This study revealed that there was a relief in pain between the subjects over a short span of time. Hence the TENS after abdominal surgery is beneficial for the subjects with abdominal surgery incision. Since, the treatment has no observable side effects, and the pain-reducing effect persisted for 5 days, it is advisable for the subjects.