Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation at the Acupuncture Points to Relieve Pain of Patients Under Mechanical Ventilation: A Randomized Controlled Study

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the heel-raise-lower exercise on spasticity, strength, and gait speed after the application of 30 min of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in patients with stroke. Methods: The participants were randomly divided into the TENS group and the placebo group, with 20 participants assigned to each group. In the TENS group, heel-raise-lower exercise was performed after applying TENS for six weeks. The placebo group was trained in the same manner for the same amount of time but without electrical stimulation. The spasticity of the ankle plantar flexors was measured using the composite spasticity score. A handheld dynamometer and a 10-m walk test were used to evaluate muscle strength and gait speed, respectively. Results: Spasticity was significantly more improved in the TENS group (mean change −2.0 ± 1.1) than in the placebo group (mean change −0.4 ± 0.9) (p < 0.05). Similarly, muscle strength was significantly more improved in the TENS group (6.4 ± 3.3 kg) than in the placebo group (4.5 ± 1.6 kg) (p < 0.05). Moreover, participants assigned to the TENS group showed a significant greater improvement in gait speed than those in the placebo group (mean change −5.3 ± 1.4 s vs. −2.7 ± 1.2 s). Conclusions: These findings show the benefits of heel-raise-lower exercise after TENS for functional recovery in patients with stroke.

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Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and solifenacin succinate versus solifenacin succinate alone for treatment of overactive bladder syndrome: A double-blind randomized controlled study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0253040 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. e0253040

Author(s):

Yumeng Zhang ◽

Shaoyong Wang ◽

Shulu Zu ◽

Chanjuan Zhang

Keyword(s):

Overactive Bladder ◽

Nerve Stimulation ◽

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Double Blind ◽

Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Solifenacin Succinate ◽

Group A ◽

Group B

Objective We evaluated a combination of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and solifenacin succinate versus solifenacin alone in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB). Methods Ninety-seven female outpatients with OAB were screened for this double-blind randomized controlled study. Eighty-six patients who met our inclusion criteria were divided randomly into two groups. In group A (43 patients), patients received oral solifenacin and “fake” TENS on the foot; in group B (43 patients), patients received oral solifenacin and effective TENS on the foot. Improvements in OAB symptoms were assessed by Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q), voiding diaries and urodynamic tests. 70 of 86 patients (36 in group A, 34 in group B) completed the 2 months of treatment and 3 months of follow-up. Results Statistically, the maximum bladder volume and OAB symptoms of both groups improved significantly after treatment. The improvement in group B was significantly better than that in group A, as indicated by the maximum bladder volume, OAB-q score and voiding diary. Some mild adverse effects were observed, including dry mouth, stomach upset, constipation, muscle pain and local paresthesia. Conclusion The combination of TENS and solifenacin was more effective in improving OAB symptoms than solifenacin alone.

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