Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Reduces Post-Thoractomy Ipsilateral Shoulder XXXX . A Prospective Randomized Study.

@entity1 @entity717 @entity282 @entity158
OBJECTIVES: The @entity1 's position during an axillary thoracotomy can cause @entity282 and decrease mobility of the @entity717 . In this study, we assessed whether the implementation of a standardized analgesia program using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) decreases @entity158 and improves @entity717 mobility. METHOD: Randomized, single-blind, single-center clinical trial of 50 @entity1 who had undergone anatomical lung resection via axillary muscle-sparing thoracotomy. @entity1 were treated with TENS devices for 30minutes every 8hours, beginning on postoperative day 1. @entity158 and mobility of the affected limb were recorded at the same time on postoperative days1 through3. A visual analogue scale was used for @entity158 assessment and shoulder mobility was assessed with a goniometer. Results were compared using a non-parametric test. RESULTS: Twenty-five @entity1 were randomized to each group. Mean age of the control group was 62.7  9.3years and 63.4  10.2years in the experimental group. Shoulder mobility parameters were similar in both groups on all postoperative days. However, @entity158 during flexion significantly decreased on day2 (P=.03) and day3 (P=.04) in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: The use of TENS decreases @entity158 from shoulder flexion in @entity1 undergoing axillary thoracotomy for pulmonary resection.
