Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Post-Cesarean Pain Control

Launched by HAWAII PACIFIC HEALTH · May 19, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a treatment called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, to help manage pain after a cesarean delivery (C-section). The goal is to see if TENS can be more effective than a placebo (a treatment that has no active effect) or no TENS at all in reducing pain after surgery. Researchers are currently recruiting women who are having a scheduled or non-urgent C-section and are between the ages of 65 and 74 to participate in this study.

If you or someone you know is eligible and decides to participate, you can expect to receive either the TENS treatment or a placebo during your recovery after the surgery. However, there are some important criteria that might exclude someone from participating, such as having a history of chronic pain, previous use of opioids, or certain medical conditions. This study aims to find better ways to control pain for women recovering from a C-section, making the healing process more comfortable.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • - Women undergoing scheduled or non-urgent cesarean section
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Non-English speaking
• • Subjects with a history of chronic pain or chronic opioid use
• • Pre-operative use of opioids for more than 1 week in the preceding 6 months
• • Previous exposure to the TENS unit
• • Women with an allergy or contraindication to narcotics/NSAIDs/acetaminophen
• • Subjects who had a midline vertical skin incision during this operation
• • Subjects who did not receive intrathecal opioids at the time of their cesarean delivery
• • Adhesive allergies
• • Subjects with a pacemaker (due to the unknown effects of the TENS on the electrical activity of the heart)
• • Intraoperative general anesthesia
• • Inability to consent to the study
• • Postpartum tubal ligation