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Refractory chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men: can transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation help?
Author(s) -
Schneider Marc P.,
Tellenbach Marc,
Mordasini Livio,
Thalmann George N.,
Kessler Thomas M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1111/bju.12005
Subject(s) - medicine , transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation , refractory (planetary science) , adverse effect , quality of life (healthcare) , visual analogue scale , confidence interval , anesthesia , physics , alternative medicine , nursing , pathology , astrobiology
Objective To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation ( TENS ) for treating men with refractory chronic pelvic pain syndrome ( CPPS ).Patients and Methods A consecutive series of 60 men treated with TENS for refractory CPPS was evaluated prospectively at an academic tertiary referral centre. The effects of treatment were evaluated by a pain diary and by the quality of life item of the N ational I nstitutes of H ealth C hronic P rostatitis S ymptom I ndex at baseline, after 12 weeks of TENS treatment, and at last known follow‐up. Adverse events related to TENS were also assessed.Results The mean (95% confidence interval, CI ; range) age of the 60 men was 46.9 (43.5–50.3; 21–82) years. TENS was successful after 12 weeks of treatment in 29 (48%) patients and a positive effect was sustained during a mean (95%, CI ; range) follow‐up of 43.6 (33.2–56; 6–88) months in 21 patients. After 12 weeks of TENS treatment, mean (95% CI ) pain visual analogue scale decreased significantly ( P < 0.001) from 6.6 (6.3–6.9) to 3.9 (3.2–4.6). Patients' quality of life changed significantly after TENS treatment ( P < 0.001). Before TENS , all 60 patients felt mostly dissatisfied ( n = 17; 28%), unhappy ( n = 28; 47%) or terrible ( n = 15; 25%). After 12 weeks of TENS treatment, 29 (48%) patients felt mostly satisfied ( n = 5), pleased ( n = 18) or delighted ( n = 6). N o adverse events related to TENS were noted.ConclusionTENS may be an effective and safe treatment for refractory CPPS in men, warranting randomized, placebo‐controlled trials.