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Review
. 2024 Oct 3;16(10):e70797.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.70797. eCollection 2024 Oct.

Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Management of Pain Associated With Hysteroscopy: A Systematic Review

Juliet Galtes  1 , Rachel Siretskiy  1 , Lauren Offield  1 , Benny Esquenazi  2
Affiliations
Review

Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Management of Pain Associated With Hysteroscopy: A Systematic Review

Juliet Galtes et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy is a simple, non-pharmacologic, and non-invasive analgesic intervention that involves the application of electric currents over an area of pain to stimulate underlying nerves. The methodology behind TENS is based on theories of pain perception and processing such as the gate control theory, descending inhibition, and release of endogenous opioids. TENS has also been shown to play a role in the management of pain for gynecologic procedures such as hysteroscopy. Hysteroscopy is an increasingly popular diagnostic and interventional procedure, but its associated pelvic pain is a significant obstacle for patients. This systematic review aims to identify if TENS is an effective analgesic modality during hysteroscopy.

Keywords: acute pain management; obstetrics & gynecology; outpatient hysteroscopy; procedural pain control; transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (tens).

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 flow diagram
From Page et al. [9]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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