Date of Award
2023
Degree Type
Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review
Degree Name
Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant
Department
Physician Assistant Studies
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy to the pelvic region effective in alleviating menstrual pain in adolescent and young adult females with primary dysmenorrhea?”
Study Design: A systemic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2011 and 2022.
Data Sources: All three RCTs were discovered using PubMed, CINAHL, AMED, Academic Search Premier, and Alt HealthWatch. The articles were published in English in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on applicability to the clinical question.
Outcome Measured: A reduction in intensity of menstrual pain was the outcome measured in all three studies using either the visual analog scale (VAS) or numerical pain rating scale (NPRS).
Results: In the RCT led by Parsa and Bashirian, TENS therapy led to a statistically significant reduction (p = 0.000) in menstrual pain compared to the control group, indicated by a mean change from baseline of 3.906 in the treatment group and 1.625 in the control group; the mean difference between groups was 2.281. Lauretti et al. demonstrated a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.001) in menstrual pain with TENS therapy, indicated by a mean change from a baseline of 6 in the treatment group and 1 in the control group with a mean difference between groups of 5. Lastly, Manisha and Anuradha showed TENS therapy leading to a reduction in menstrual pain compared with the control group, indicated by a mean change from baseline of 4.17 in the treatment group and 0.04 in the control group with statistical significance of p < 0.001 in the TENS treatment group; the mean difference between groups was 4.13.
Conclusion: All three studies in this review demonstrated TENS therapy to the pelvic region led to a statistically significant reduction in menstrual pain. This suggests TENS therapy is an effective and beneficial treatment method for intense menstrual pain. However, further studies should explore varying frequency levels and treatment durations to optimize menstrual pain relief.
Recommended Citation
Lin, Cindy, "Is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy to the pelvic region effective in alleviating menstrual pain in adolescent and young adult females with primary dysmenorrhea?" (2023). PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship. 671.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/pa_systematic_reviews/671