Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) protocol aims to evaluate pain and anxiety reduction during labor
Background
Labour pain and anxiety significantly impact maternal and neonatal health. Current pharmacological pain management options can have side effects, prompting interest in non-pharmacological alternatives. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive method that applies electrical currents to the skin to modulate pain perception, potentially by activating endogenous opioid systems or gate control mechanisms. This study protocol aims to rigorously assess TENS's efficacy in alleviating labour pain and anxiety, and its influence on birth-related hormone levels, providing evidence for its integration into midwifery practice.
Study Design
This study is a randomized controlled trial protocol planning to enroll 112 pregnant women at Adana Seyhan State Hospital between March 2020 and March 2021. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: two active Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) groups, a placebo TENS group, and a control group. Active TENS in the first group will be applied with a modified biphasic asymmetric pulse, set to a pulse width of 100 μs and a frequency of 100 Hz, initiated when cervical dilation reaches at least 4 cm. The second active TENS group will use a mixed stimulation protocol with an asymmetric, balanced, biphasic square waveform. The primary endpoint is labour pain intensity, assessed from the first stage of labor to one day postpartum.
Results
This abstract describes a study protocol; therefore, no findings or results are available at this stage. The research is designed to evaluate the effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on labour pain, anxiety levels, and specific birth-related hormone levels in pregnant women. Once completed, the study aims to provide quantitative data on these outcomes across active TENS, placebo, and control groups. Specific statistical comparisons and effect sizes will be reported upon study completion and data analysis.
Key Findings
- No findings available; this is a study protocol outlining future research.
Why It Matters
If successful, this protocol could establish Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) as a validated, non-pharmacological option for pain and anxiety management during labor. This could empower midwives with an accessible tool to improve the birthing experience, potentially reducing reliance on pharmacological interventions and their associated side effects. For individuals seeking natural or less invasive pain relief during childbirth, this research could pave the way for a widely accepted and evidence-based protocol. The study's focus on specific TENS parameters (100 μs pulse width, 100 Hz frequency) could lead to standardized application guidelines, making TENS a more predictable and effective intervention in clinical settings.
tens
labor-pain
anxiety
non-pharmacological
randomized-controlled-trial
womens-health