Abstract
[Purpose] To evaluate the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the treatment of postoperative pain and pulmonary functions (vital capacity: VC; cough peak flow: CPF) of patients who had received abdominal surgery. [Methods] Thirty-five patients were randomly allocated to receive TENS (TENS group) or sham TENS (placebo group) or no TENS (control group) 1 hour a day for 3 days postoperatively. A 0-100 visual analog scale was used to assess pain at pre-, mid-, and post-intervention on the 3rd postoperative day. Pulmonary functions were evaluated by spirometry at preoperation and at pre-, mid-, and post-intervention on the third postoperative day. [Results] The TENS group had significant reductions in postoperative pain compared with the placebo group and control group. There was also improvement in pulmonary functions (VC, CPF) at mid- and post-TENS, but not in the placebo TENS or control groups. [Conclusion] TENS is a valuable strategy for alleviating postoperative pain following abdominal surgery and improves pulmonary functions.
