The Effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation After Thoracic Surgery
Condition: Thoracic; Surgery; Pain; Pulmonary Function; Functional Capacity
MeSH terms: Aortic Dissection
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The purpose of this randomised and controlled study is to investigate the effects of
      transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation combined with physiotherapy and rehabilitation
      program on pulmonary function and functional exercise capacity.
    

Detailed description: 
      Post-thoracotomy pain is one of the most severe types of post-surgical pain. When pain after
      thoracotomy is not treated effectively, it causes decrease in pulmonary compliance, inability
      to cough and deep breathing. Increased secretion leads to atelectasis and pneumonia. After
      surgery, early mobilization, providing airway cleaning (humidification, aspiration, forced
      expiration, assisted coughing), oxygen therapy, controlled breathing exercises, the use of
      incentive spirometry and such selected exercises, including posture and general exercises
      physiotherapy and rehabilitation approaches can prevent complications. A carefully planned
      pre and postoperative chest physiotherapy and rehabilitation program minimizes postoperative
      complications; it will restore normal function in these patients. Post-surgical physiotherapy
      applications should be combined with pain therapy for effective participation of the patient.

      Local anesthetics, opioids and different special analgesia techniques including intercostal,
      paravertebral, interpleural and epidural blocks are used to relieve pain after thoracotomy.
      However, these techniques have serious side effects such as nausea, vomiting, respiratory
      depression, and sleepiness. It has been reported that the use of Transcutaneous Electrical
      Nerve Stimulation (TENS), in addition to traditional analgesia methods, may reduce the use of
      analgesics, side effects, and postoperative recovery period, and is useful for pain control.
      After cardiac surgery, TENS has been found useful in the treatment of postoperative incision
      pain. It has been reported that TENS therapy after thoracotomy as effective as
      patient-controlled analgesia.

      Therefore, this study planned to investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve
      stimulation combined with physiotherapy and rehabilitation program on pulmonary function and
      functional exercise capacity in patients undergoing thoracic surgery.
    

Intervention name(s): Physiotherapy rehabilitation and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation; Physiotherapy Rehabilitation
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Physiotherapy rehabilitation and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) group received TENS therapy in addition to physiotherapy rehabilitation after thoracic surgery.
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation program was started after surgery and it was performed for 30 min, twice a day, 5 day a week. The program was included respiratory and posture exercises, coughing, enhancing mobility.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation was performed with the a 2-channel portable TENS device and using disposable electrodes. TENS applied on both sides of the incision line. After surgery, TENS was performed before the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation for 30 min, twice a day, 5 day a week.
Patients were evaluated before the surgery and the end of postoperative 5th day.; Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation was performed for 5 days after surgery, twice a day, for 30 min, 5 day a week after thoracic surgery. The program was included respiratory and posture exercises, coughing, enhancing mobility.
Patients were evaluated before the surgery and the end of postoperative 5th day.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Intervention model description: Crossover Assignment Randomized controlled
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; physiotherapy and rehabilitation; thoracic surgery; pain; pulmonary function; functional capacity