Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Reduces Pain and Drug Intake in the Immediate Postoperative Period Following Proximal Femoral Fractures

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the action of TENS on the pain threshold and on the intake of analgesic drugs in patients with proximal femoral fractures.

Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology. Santa Luzia Hospital, between September 2015 and July 2016.

Methodology: Forty-two patients, homogeneous for age, color and sex, were allocated into three groups. The groups were divided into TENS treatment (n = 14), placebo TENS (n = 14) and control (n = 14), with application for a period of seventy-two hours postoperatively, assessing pain, by visual analogue scale, and drug intake (tenoxicam, dipyrone, tramadol, morphine and diazepam).

Results: Long-term TENS reduced postoperative pain and drug intake significantly (P<0.05). The pain threshold (P<0.05) and the administration of drugs tenoxicam, dipyrone, tramadol and morphine (P<0.05) after TENS treatment showed significant improvement. The other groups did not present these alterations.

Conclusion: TENS, when used ininterrupedly, was shown to be effective both for pain reduction and drug administration in the immediate postoperative period.