Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) applied to complementary treatment of the pain in women with deep endometriosis

Author(s)

Ticiana Aparecida Alves de Mira

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
• Defense date: 2015-01-28

Examining board members

Cristina Laguna Benetti Pinto; Cássia Raquel Teatin Juliato; Sérgio Podgaec

• Advisor: Paulo César Giraldo; Cristina Laguna Benetti Pinto

Abstract

Introduction: Despite all the surgical and medical treatments for endometriosis many women have symptoms of pain. Nevertheless, the literature is scarce on additional treatments for pain. Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of TENS applied as a complementary treatment of chronic pelvic pain and deep dyspareunia in women with deep endometriosis. Subjects and Methods: Randomized controlled trial conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Campinas. Twenty-two women were included and they presented deep endometriosis and made use of hormonal treatment (progestin or combined oral contraceptive) with persistent complaints of chronic pelvic pain and/or deep dyspareunia. TENS application for 8 weeks was applied with randomization of participants into two groups: Group 1 - TENS like acupuncture (frequency: 8 Hz, pulse duration: 250?s and variation in intensity and frequency (VIF) of 1 ms) (n = 11) and Group 2 - TENS self-applied (frequency: 85Hz, pulse duration: 75?s) (n = 11); intensity: Adjustable "strong but comfortable". Measurements by Visual Analogue Scale, Dyspareunia Depth Scale and Endometriosis Health Profile - Questionnaire (EHP-30) were performed pre and post treatment. To compare pre and post-treatment the Wilcoxon test and Mann-Whitney test were used. Results: The twenty-two women with deep endometriosis used hormonal treatment for 1.65±2.08 years and kept complaining about pelvic and / or deep dyspareunia pain. The two types of TENS (acupuncture and self-applied) promoted improvement in chronic pelvic pain (p <.0001), deep dyspareunia (p = .0010) and quality of life (p <.0001). Conclusion: Both features (TENS like acupuncture and TENS self-applied) demonstrated effectiveness as complementary treatment of chronic pelvic pain and deep dyspareunia and improved the quality of life of women with deep endometriosis regardless which one of the devices were used for treatment (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/11790-2 - Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) applied to complementary treatment of the pain in women with deep endometriosis
• Grantee: Ticiana Aparecida Alves de Mira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master