Effect of transcutaneous electrical Nerve stimulation on pain in subjects with primary dysmenorrhea

Background: Low back pain and pelvic pain are most common symptoms of Primary dysmenorrhea. Most commonly used treatments are pharmacological drugs. TENS has been found to be effective for primary dysmenorrhea according to Parisa P. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) can be given in pre-menstrual days or during menstrual cycle and in both phases TENS has been shown to be effective. So this study was done to see and compare the effect of TENS in primary dysmenorrhea in both phases. Aim: The present study aimed at assessing effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Pain in Subjects with Primary Dysmenorrhea. Materials and methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in community of Ahmadabad. Non athletic females between 18-25 years of age, diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea with regular menstrual cycle and no other medical conditions were included in this study. 30 subjects included by convenience sampling were randomly divided in 2 groups. Both groups were given 20 minutes of TENS, to back over para spinal region (L5-S1) at 100 Hz frequency with 80 ?s at comfortable intensity, once daily for 3 days. One of 2 groups was treated on three premenstrual days and other group was treated at same dose during initial three days of menstrual cycle. Outcome measure used was visual analogue scale. Level of significance was kept at 5%. Results: Wilcoxon test was used to compare mean preVAS, 5.36±1.652 and postVAS, 2.85±1.711, in group A (W/z= -3.413, p= 0.001). Wilcoxon test was used to compare mean preVAS 4.61±1.187 and postVAS 2.77±1.102, in group B (W/z= -3.408, p= 0.001). Mean difference between group A and B was 2.17± 0.87.Applying Mann-Whitney U Test (U= 63.500, p=0.042) showed significant difference between groups. Conclusion: Use of TENS for 3 days before or during menstrual cycle is effective in reducing pain. However use of TENS in premenstrual phase is more effective for reducing pain.