Effectiveness of complementary pain treatment for women with deep endometriosis through Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): randomized controlled trial

Ticiana A A Mira, Ticiana Aparecida Alves de Mira, Paulo César Giraldo, Paulo C Giraldo, Giraldo PC, Yela DA, Daniela Angerame Yela, Daniela A Yela, Cristina L Benetti-Pinto, Cristina Laguna Benetti‐Pinto
European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology · 2015 · vol. 194 , pp. 1–6 · doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2015.07.009 · PMID:26319650 · W1867992267
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This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) as a complementary pain treatment for women experiencing deep endometriosis-associated pain.

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Abstract

ObjectiveEvaluate TENS effectiveness as a complementary treatment of chronic pelvic pain and deep dyspareunia in women with deep endometriosis.Study designThis randomized controlled trial was performed in a tertiary health care center, including twenty-two women with deep endometriosis undergoing hormone therapy with persistent pelvic pain and/or deep dyspareunia. This study was registered in the Brazilian Record of Clinical Trials (ReBEC), under n RBR-3rndh6. TENS application for 8 weeks followed a randomized allocation into two groups: Group 1 - acupuncture-like TENS (Frequency: 8Hz, pulse duration: 250μs) - VIF (n=11) and Group 2 - self-applied TENS (Frequency: 85Hz, pulse duration: 75μs) (n=11). The intensity applied was "strong, but comfortable". We evaluated patients before and after treatment by the use of the Visual Analogue Scale, Deep Dyspareunia Scale and Endometriosis Quality of Life Questionnaire. We used the Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests to compare before and after treatment conditions.ResultsDespite the use of hormone therapy for 1.65±2.08 years, the 22 women with deep endometriosis sustained pelvic pain complaints (VAS=5.95±2.13 and 2.45±2.42, p<.001) and/or deep dyspareunia (DDS=2.29±0.46 and 1.20±1.01, p=.001). We observed significant improvement for chronic pelvic pain, deep dyspareunia and quality of life by the use of TENS. Both application types of TENS were effective for improving the evaluated types of pain.ConclusionsBoth resources (acupuncture-like TENS and self-applied TENS) demonstrated effectiveness as a complementary treatment of pelvic pain and deep dyspareunia, improving quality of life in women with deep endometriosis regardless of the device used for treatment.

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Condition tags

dyspareuniaendometriosischronic_pelvic_pain

MeSH descriptors

Dyspareunia Endometriosis Pelvic Pain Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation Adult Complementary Therapies Dyspareunia Endometriosis Female Humans Middle Aged Pelvic Pain Quality of Life

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