Edema and pain reduction using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation treatment

J Phys Ther Sci. 2016 Nov;28(11):3084-3087. doi: 10.1589/jpts.28.3084. Epub 2016 Nov 29.

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact on the edema and pain when applying transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. [Subjects and Methods] Eleven patients who were diagnosed with lymphedema were selected as the subjects of the study. The experimental group received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation treatment on edema regions three times per week for four weeks. Surface tape measurement was used to measure changes in lower extremity edema. Pain intensity was measured using the visual analog scale. [Results] The edema decrements in the experimental group were significantly larger than those in the control group. The pain decrements in the experimental group were significantly larger than those in the control group. [Conclusion] In conclusion, application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was confirmed to be effective in reducing edema and pain.

Keywords: Edema; Pain; TENS.