The role of acupuncture and transcutaneous-electrical nerve stimulation for postoperative pain control

ABSTRACT:Low-intensity repetitive electrical stimulation such as dorsal column and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) reportedly decreases spasticity and improves voluntary motor control. However, the mechanisms mediating these effects are unclear. Recent findings suggest that spasticity may be characterized more appropriately by a decrease in the stretch reflex threshold than by an increase in gain. Our objectives were: (1) to examine possible changes in stretch reflex excitability following 45 min of TENS, (2) to map out the time course of possible post-stimulation effects via both latency and magnitude (amplitude or area) measurements, and (3) to determine the role of segmental versus non-segmental mechanisms involved in mediating these changes. The effects of 45 min of segmentally and heterosegmentally applied TENS on lower limb reflexes in ten spastic hemiparetic subjects were contrasted with those resulting from placebo stimulation. We found that both segmentally and heterosegmentally applied TENS caused an immediate increase in soleus H reflex latencies that was evident for up to 60 minutes post-stimulation in over 75% of the subjects. Similar increases for up to 60 and 40 minutes post-stimulation was noted for the stretch reflex latencies in 50% and 67% of the subjects respectively for segmental and heterosegmental stimulation. These results suggested that manipulation of segmental and heterosegmental afférents for 45 min may lead to a decrease of the otherwise augmented stretch reflex excitability accompanying hemiparetic spasticity.

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Using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to prevent postoperative pain

The Journal of the American Dental Association ◽

10.14219/jada.archive.2002.0240 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 133 (5) ◽

pp. 643-645

Author(s):

WAYNE W. HERMAN ◽

JOSEPH L. KONZELMAN ◽

ROBERT W. COMER

Keyword(s):

Postoperative Pain ◽

Nerve Stimulation ◽

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

Electrical Nerve Stimulation

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Postoperative Pain Relief by Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

The American Journal of Chinese Medicine ◽

10.1142/s0192415x80000153 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 08 (01n02) ◽

pp. 190-194 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Joseph O. A. Sodipo ◽

S. A. Adedeji ◽

O. Olumide

Keyword(s):

Postoperative Pain ◽

Pain Relief ◽

Hospital Stay ◽

Clinical Evaluation ◽

Nerve Stimulation ◽

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

Postoperative Pain Relief ◽

Patient Acceptance ◽

Random Assignment ◽

Electrical Nerve Stimulation

In prospective, random assignment of 2 groups of 15 patients, relief of postoperative pain with narcotic medications was evaluated and compared with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for 2 days immediately following surgery. Presence of ileus and hospital stay were identifical in both groups. Patients on TENS demonstrated a marked significant decrease in the amount of narcotics administered. There was favorable nursing, physician and patient acceptance to these devices. Further clinical evaluation is, therefore, in progress.

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