The Effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation After Thoracic Surgery

Marmara University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Pulmonary Function; Functional Capacity; Thoracic; Surgery; Pain

Treatments: Other: Physiotherapy rehabilitation and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation; Other: Physiotherapy Rehabilitation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04879108

5563

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this randomised and controlled study is to investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation combined with physiotherapy and rehabilitation program on pulmonary function and functional exercise capacity.

Full description

Post-thoracotomy pain is one of the most severe types of post-surgical pain. When pain after thoracotomy is not treated effectively, it causes decrease in pulmonary compliance, inability to cough and deep breathing. Increased secretion leads to atelectasis and pneumonia. After surgery, early mobilization, providing airway cleaning (humidification, aspiration, forced expiration, assisted coughing), oxygen therapy, controlled breathing exercises, the use of incentive spirometry and such selected exercises, including posture and general exercises physiotherapy and rehabilitation approaches can prevent complications. A carefully planned pre and postoperative chest physiotherapy and rehabilitation program minimizes postoperative complications; it will restore normal function in these patients. Post-surgical physiotherapy applications should be combined with pain therapy for effective participation of the patient.

Local anesthetics, opioids and different special analgesia techniques including intercostal, paravertebral, interpleural and epidural blocks are used to relieve pain after thoracotomy. However, these techniques have serious side effects such as nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, and sleepiness. It has been reported that the use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), in addition to traditional analgesia methods, may reduce the use of analgesics, side effects, and postoperative recovery period, and is useful for pain control. After cardiac surgery, TENS has been found useful in the treatment of postoperative incision pain. It has been reported that TENS therapy after thoracotomy as effective as patient-controlled analgesia.

Therefore, this study planned to investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation combined with physiotherapy and rehabilitation program on pulmonary function and functional exercise capacity in patients undergoing thoracic surgery.

Enrollment: 60 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 75 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients undergoing lobectomy for lung cancer

Exclusion criteria

• Patients undergoing pneumonectomy.
• Patients undergoing smaller resection than lobectomy.
• Presence of serious arrhythmia, pacemaker, severe cardiac failure,
• Patients with cooperation disorder
• Presence of neurological or orthopedic problems affecting the extremities.
• Patients with severe psychiatric disorders

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

Physiotherapy rehabilitation and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) group

Experimental group

Description:

Physiotherapy rehabilitation and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) group received TENS therapy in addition to physiotherapy rehabilitation approaches after thoracic surgery. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation program was started after surgery and it was performed for 30 min, twice a day, 5 day a week. The program was included respiratory and posture exercises, coughing, enhancing mobility. TENS therapy was performed with the a 2-channel portable TENS device and using disposable electrodes. TENS applied on both sides of the incision line. After surgery, TENS was performed before the Physiotherapy rehabilitation for 30 min, twice a day, 5 day a week. Patients were evaluated before the surgery and the end of postoperative 5th day.

Treatment:

Other: Physiotherapy rehabilitation and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Physiotherapy rehabilitation Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

This group was enrolled only physiotherapy and rehabilitation program after thoracic surgery. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation program was started after surgery and it was performed for 30 min, twice a day, 5 day a week. The program was included respiratory and posture exercises, coughing, enhancing mobility. Patients were evaluated before the surgery and the end of postoperative 5th day.

Treatment:

Other: Physiotherapy Rehabilitation