Comparison of High- and Low-frequency Transcutaneous Electrical
Nerve Stimulation Effect on Postthoracotomy Pain in Rats in
Contralateral and Ipsilateral Side
Ting-Yun Chen1, Ph.D., Ching-Hsia Hung1,2*, Ph.D., Yu-Wen Chen3, Ph.D.
1 Department of Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National
Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan;
2 Department of Physical Therapy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; 3 Department of Physical Therapy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
Introduction
Post-thoracotomy pain is a clinically problem, pain may affect patients' coughing and deep breathing, and that may become more difficult for patients to carry out the rehabilitation program. Rib-retractor used in thoracotomy, which makes compression and damage intercostal nerves, may cause neuropathic pain. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been used in management of post-surgical pain for over 30 years. We try to supply more options to manage post-thoracotomy pain after our experiments.
Aims
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high- and low-frequency TENS (either contralateral or ipsilateral side) on mechanical hypersensitivity in a rat model of postthoracotomy pain.
Methods
The experiments were performed on male Sprague-Dawley rats (300~350 g). To make sure the successful induction of postoperative pain, rats were evaluated mechanical withdrawal threshold by von Frey filaments on day 10 after thoracotomy. TENS was applied daily on either the contralateral side or on the ipsilateral side from
postoperative day 11 to postoperative day 17.
Results
Among these interventions, high-frequency TENS on contralateral side showed the best effect to reduce postthoracotomy pain.
Conclusions
Application of TENS to the contralateral (mirror) side may be a good option for management of postthoracotomy pain.
KEY WORDS: Postthoracotomy Pain; Mechanica Withdrawal Threshold;
