Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Pain Severity Post-Episiotomy in Primiparous Women: a Clinical Trial

Introduction: Episiotomy or cutting the perineum is the most common operation in obstetrics. Perineal pain is the main complication of the episiotomy that affects the quality of life and mental health of the mother. The reducing the pain and side effects of the chemical drugs prescribed for pain relief have received interest from both the physicians and scientists. This study was conducted to determine the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as an alternative method on the pain severity post-episiotomy.Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed on 120 primiparous women referred to Sanandaj Besat Hospital in 1397. Patients were randomly divided into three groups: intervention (TENS-On), placebo (TENS-Off), and control groups. TENS electrodes were located near the episiotomy site in the genitofemoral and pudendal nerves. The pain was measured after episiotomy in resting, sitting and activity positions. The pain severity was assessed using pain measurement instrument (NRS) in four times (before intervention, 30, 60 and 120 minutes after tens intervention). Pearson correlation, student s t-test, Kruskal-Wallis, ANOVA, and Mann-Whitney tests were used for data analyzing.Results: In the intragroup evaluation for placebo and control groups, there was no significant difference in pain score (P> 0.05). A significant difference was observed in mean pain severity for the intervention group with walking activities (P = 0.04). In the intergroup evaluation, there was a significant difference in mean pain severity for resting position (P=0.008). For the sitting position, there was no significant difference in mean pain severity between three groups (P = 0.04).Conclusion: TENS is an effective and safe method for pain relief post-episiotomy and routine use in obstetrics and gynecology ward.

کلیدواژه ها:

Physiotherapy ، Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ، Episiotomy ، Perineal pain ، Postpartum