Abstract
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to find the most effective site of electrode placement in transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for postoperative showder patients. [Methods] Twelve patients (seven males, five females) 14 to 15 days after shoulder orthopedic surgery were enrolled in this study. The current perception threshold (CPT), the pain (VAS), and the shoulder range of motion (ROM) were evaluated before, during and after TENS. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive TENS with electrode placement on C4 to C6 dermatomic regions of pain (group A) and C7 to Th1 dermatomic regions not related to pain (group B) on the 14th postoperative day. [Result] Group A showed significantly less pain and greater CPT than group B. ROM improved during and after TENS regardless of electrode placement. [Conclusion] The results suggest that TENS with electrode placement on the dermatomic region of pain was more effective than other regions for postoperative shoulder patients.
