A study shows that the application of techniques of Transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS) reduces the pain of the colonoscopies.

– is the first research worldwide showing the analgesic effect of the application of Transcutaneous Electric nerve stimulation (TENS) colonoscopies in

Madrid, March 2012.- researchers at the Department of physical therapy at the University CEU Cardenal Herrera in Valencia in collaboration with the Hospital our Lady of the castle of Yecla (Murcia) tested the analgesic effect of the application of techniques of electrical nerve stimulation stimulation (TENS) during colonoscopy, a painful test, but the most effective for detecting colorectal cancer.

The research, which has recently been published in the European Journal of Pain magazine, recognized as the third world publication on treatments to alleviate the pain, shows that 53% of patients in which the active TENS in the lumbosacral area were applied during the colonoscopy did not feel pain.

The application of the technique developed in this study has demonstrated as an effective alternative to prevent the use of drugs and the intervention of an anesthesiologist, decreasing the possibility of complications as well as the social and economic cost.

During the 1990s, up to three times tested other researchers TENS to alleviate the side effects of the colonoscopies ”, Juan José Amer, Professor of physiotherapy of the Cardenal Herrera and the study coordinator has ensured. These results caused, he said, which TENS should not be considered as an alternative to the drugs used during this annoying test ”.

The team of researchers has now changed the values of electrical stimulation and the place of the placement of the electrodes. have placed the electrodes on the patient lumbosacral area, where previously not had tested. It is the area of nerve roots, specifically, where it begins to integrate the pain ”, explained Professor Amer.

The implementation of the TENS technique has shown a quick impact, alleviating the pain since the beginning of the colonoscopy, which is maintained throughout the procedure and does not increase the duration of the procedure, he said Amer.

In this sense, the Professor of physiotherapy of the Cardenal Herrera has realized that this technique can be a valid and safe option for relief of pain in the colonoscopy in all patients, but especially in the elderly and patients with cardiac risk ”.

As for the future of this research, Amer has stressed that it would be interesting that could extend to more hospitals and would be great that the Administration implement ”. So far, the Group of researchers from the Department of physiotherapy of the Cardenal Herrera thought open new avenues of research for the implementation of the TENS as an analgesic of other medical tests.

Description of the study

Researchers conducted the study of 90 patients scheduled to undergo a colonoscopy in the Hospital our Lady of the castle of Yecla (Murcia). The subjects were assigned to three groups: active TENS, TENS of placebo or control. The group to which applied you TENS received an innovative programming developed specifically for this study, through two parallel to the lumbosacral spinal cord self-adhesive electrodes.

The results of this study show a significant decrease in the parameters of pain in the TENS group compared to the group control and TENS placebo. The number of subjects who spoke minimal pain or no pain was significantly higher in the Group of active TENS (53%) than in the TENS of placebo (17%) and control (10%) groups. The number of subject they referred pain severe pain or unbearable in the TENS group was only 10%, while in the TENS placebo was 67% in the control group of 50%.

CGCFE

The General Council of physiotherapists schools of Spain (CGCFE) is the body representing more than 40,000 physiotherapists, Spain, working with the common goal of promoting the health of citizens. In addition, orders the profession, guardianship the interests of physiotherapy, as well as its optimal implementation and universalization.

Physiotherapists are health professionals, as provided for in the existing legislation, accredited with the University degree in physiotherapy, taught in 43 universities and possessors of knowledge and skills to benefit the health of the population. in addition, there is a greater number of doctorates and mastersthat ensure their high qualifications