Analgesic Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Versus Placebo During the First Stage of Labor

Analgesic Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Versus Placebo During the First Stage of Labor. Double-blind Randomized Clinical Trial

This study seeks to verify the analgesic efficacy of TENS during the first stage of labor applying TENS parameters that, according to with the evidence, can be effective for this application and discarding the placebo effect according to the methodological recommendations.

TENS is a non-pharmacological alternative for pain control during labor. Although it's a method that has been used for decades, there is not enough evidence on its efficacy, so it's considered ineffective in the Spanish and British guidelines of clinical practice. The present study seeks to verify the analgesic efficacy of TENS by applying the electrodes in the spinal nerve roots associated with labor pain and using conventional TENS with parameters that, according to the evidence, may be effective for this application.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Women attending routinary fetal monitoring before labor

Exclusion Criteria:

• Multiparous
• Scheduled cesarean
• Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) or pacemaker
• Epilepsy
• Fetal malformation
• Language barrier