76089
document
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation following appendicectomy : the placebo effect . A controlled trial was undertaken to compare the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation ( TENS ) with standard intramuscular opiate analgesia in the management of postoperative pain following appendicectomy . Consecutive patients undergoing emergency appendicectomy were randomised into control , sham TENS and active TENS groups . There was a significant decrease in pain severity and analgesic intake in both active and sham TENS groups when compared with the control group ( P less than 0.01 ) . No difference was demonstrated in pain severity between active and sham TENS groups but the active TENS group required slightly less analgesia . These results suggest that the major benefit of TENS in the postappendicectomy patient is due to its 'placebo effect ' and its use in this situation can not be recommended .
76090
Intervention_Physical
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
76091
Intervention_Physical
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation ( TENS )
76092
Intervention_Control
standard intramuscular opiate analgesia
76093
Intervention_Surgical
emergency appendicectomy
76094
Intervention_Physical
sham TENS and active TENS groups
76095
Intervention_Physical
active
76096
Intervention_Physical
sham TENS
76097
Intervention_Control
control group
76098
Intervention_Physical
active
76099
Intervention_Physical
sham TENS
76100
Intervention_Physical
active TENS
76101
Intervention_Physical
TENS
76102
Outcome_Pain
pain severity and analgesic intake
76103
Outcome_Pain
pain severity
76104
Participant_Condition
following appendicectomy
76105
Participant_Condition
following appendicectomy
76106
Participant_Condition
undergoing emergency appendicectomy
76107
Participant_Condition
postappendicectomy patient