Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (tens) on Primary Dysmenorrhea in Adolescent Girls

Objectives: Dysmenorrhea is a common problem among female adolescents. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of high-frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on primary dysmenorrhea and to compare it with placebo in a randomized controlled study. Methodology: Sixty four female aged between 14-18 years at the first day of their menstruation cycle randomly divided in two groups (TENS or placebo TENS). Participants’ physical characteristics and menstrual history were recorded. Menstrual pain was measured by self-reported pain intensity using visual analog scale (VAS) before and just after treatment. Paired t-test and independent t-test was conducted to compare pain intensity between pre and post treatment between the two groups (TENS vs. placebo). Results: The decrease in pain intensity after TENS and placebo TENS were both significant, (Active group: 6.31 to 2.40, t= 9.70, p<0.01; placebo group: 6.65 to 5.00, t= 5.97, p<0.01). However, pain intensity in active TENS was significantly decreased than the placebo group (t=-4.690, p=0.000). Concurrent use of analgesic was reduced significantly in the active TENS (t= 5.475, p<0.01); but not after placebo TENS. Conclusions: This result supports that using TENS could be effective in pain reduction among adolescents who suffered from primary dysmenorrhea.