Effectiveness of the Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Dysmenorrhea

Investigation of the Effectiveness of Different Modulations of Pulse Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Dysmenorrhea

Hypothesis: What is the best modulation of pulse frequency in transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in dysmenorrhea? Purpose: To determine the effect of hypoalgesia frequency modulation pulse by transcutaneous electrical nerve (TENS) in dysmenorrhea. Methods: A controlled clinical study and prospective developed at the School of Physiotherapy Clinic / UFPI. Forty students were randomized into four distinct groups of the modulation frequency TENS: group 1 - 100 Hz, 100μs, group 2 - 4 Hz, 100μs, group 3 - placebo (apparatus off), group 4 - placebo induced (2 Hz, 40μs). All were initially evaluated by a questionnaire developed for the study, the visual analogue scale (VAS) (before, after 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 minutes) and the McGill Pain Questionnaire (before and after 20 minutes). The total duration of TENS application was 20 minutes and all protocols were performed in a single session. The analysis of variance (One-way ANOVA) followed by the Tukey procedure was applied to identify differences between experimental groups for each variable analyzed. The level of significance was p< 0,05.

Inclusion Criteria:

• be the first or second day of menstruation
• dysmenorrhea present at the time of application of TENS
• not having undergone any procedure analgesic six hours before the application of TENS

Exclusion Criteria:

• not to mention dysmenorrhea at the time of evaluation
• pregnant women
• were using some method of hormonal contraception on an ongoing basis
• had sensory deficits or cognitive and cases of contraindication to TENS application.