Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Reduces Acute Pain And is as effective as oral paracetamol + codeine

In a double-blind study, 100 outpatients w1th acute traumat1c pam randomly rece1ved transcutaneous electncal nerve stimulation (TENS), placebo TENS, TENS plus oral paracetamol [acetammophen) 300 600mg w1th codeme 30-60mg 1-2 tablets every 4 hours as requ1red or placebo TENS plus paracetamol 300-600mg with codeme 30-60mg 62 patients had sprains. 20 had lacerat1ons with pam. 12 had fractures and 6 had haematomas and contus1ons

Patients using TENS had s1gnif1cantly reduced pam compared with those usmg placebo TENS. However, no significant difference in pain relief or seventy was seen between patients us1ng TENS and those given paracetamol with codeme. Patients receiving drug treatment reported altered mental status (5%), drowsiness (80%), nausea (12%) and vomiting (6%), and 10% of TENS-treated patients expenenced slight discomfort. All patients using TENS plus paracetamol with code1ne and 88% of patients us1ng TENS alone reported pa1n relief.

The results Indicate that TENS IS ' ... equally as effective as acetaminophen [paracetamol] with codeine,

with minimal side effects ... ' and could be of particular benefit when an oral analges1c is contraindicated. 'Finally, TENS may be more cost effective for chronic pain than any prescription oral analgesic on the

market.' Ordog GJ Amerrcan Journal of Emergency ~fed<c<ne 5 6 10 Jan 1987

0156-2703/87/0509-0013!0$01.00/0 © ADIS Press INPHARMA · 9 May 1987 13