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Effects of TENS in living kidney donors submitted to open nephrectomy: A randomized placebo‐controlled trial
Author(s) -
Galli T.T.,
Chiavegato L.D.,
Liebano R.E.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
european journal of pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.305
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1532-2149
pISSN - 1090-3801
DOI - 10.1002/ejp.521
Subject(s) - medicine , transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation , placebo , anesthesia , randomized controlled trial , respiratory system , surgery , alternative medicine , pathology
Background Pain is a negative factor in the recovery process of postoperative patients. It causes pulmonary alterations and complications, and it also affects functional capacity. Several studies have investigated the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation ( TENS ) during the postoperative period. However, no studies have assessed the effects of TENS on kidney donors. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of TENS on pain, walking function, respiratory muscle strength and vital capacity in kidney donors. Methods Seventy‐four patients were randomly allocated into two groups: active TENS or placebo TENS . All patients were assessed for pain intensity, respiratory muscle strength, vital capacity and walking function before and after the TENS application on the first day of the postoperative period. Results The use of active TENS significantly reduced pain at rest ( p = 0.006), during the measurement of maximal inspiratory pressure ( p = 0.006), during maximal expiratory pressure ( p = 0.004) and during vital capacity ( p = 0.013). Active TENS also produced a significant increase in maximal expiratory pressure when compared with the placebo TENS group ( p = 0.001). Maximal inspiratory pressure, vital capacity and walking function were not significantly different between the two treatment groups. Conclusions These results suggest that TENS decreases pain intensity at rest and during respiratory manoeuvres and increases maximal expiratory pressure during the postoperative period in kidney donors after open nephrectomy.