ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chronic pelvic pain is prevalent in 2% of women population globally. The etiology is multifactorial. Even in the absence of pelvic pathology, there is a subgroup of women who do not respond to analgesic and anti-inflammatory therapy. Chronic pelvic pain can be inhibited by direct inhibition of impulses in the preganglionic afferent neuron by closing the hypothetical gate in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is based on the gate control theory of abolishing the painful stimuli by providing simultaneous inputs in larger myelinated nerve fibers. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess the effectiveness and safety of TENS in idiopathic chronic pelvic pain. METHODS: It is a prospective, experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness of TENS versus placebo in reducing pain severity in chronic pelvic pain (G1 = 30, G2 = 32, G3 = 30, and G0 = 30). Patients with chronic pelvic pain due to benign lesions of genital tract, gastrointestinal, and renal disorders were excluded from the study after performing an ultrasound study of abdomen and pelvis. Ten treatment sessions (5 sessions/week) of 30 min were conducted. OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in pain scores in TENS group as compared with control group, and two patients were completely pain free following TENS therapy. CONCLUSION: In women patients with idiopathic chronic pelvic pain, TENS can be a useful intervention. TENS units are safe, economical, and easily commercially available.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Overactive Bladder (OAB) accounts for 40-70% cases of incontinence. The etiology is unknown though detrusor instability is found in urodynamic evaluation of almost all cases. Detrusor instability or hyperreflexia can be inhibited by direct inhibition of impulses in the pre-ganglionic afferent neuron or by inhibition of bladder pre-ganglionic neurons of the efferent limb of micturition reflex. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is based on the gate control theory of abolishing the local micturition reflex arc. AIM: To assess the effectiveness and safety of TENS in idiopathic OAB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a prospective experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness of TENS v/s placebo in reducing OAB symptoms. (n1=20, n2 =20). Ten treatment sessions (5 sessions/week) of 30 minutes, were conducted. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in Overactive Bladder Symptom Scores (OABSS) in TENS group and 2 patients were completely dry following TENS therapy. CONCLUSION: In elderly women, patients with OAB where other co-medications have their own anticholinergic side effects and impairment of cognition is a concern, TENS can be a useful intervention. TENS units are safe, economical and easily commercially available.
