Electrical Nerve Stimulation to Manage Pain and Improve Sleep After Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TENS to manage acute postoperative pain, improve sleep quality, and enhance quality of life for patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery VATS. This randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial aims to compare the effects of active TENS treatment with a sham placebo TENS to understand its role as an additional pain management method after surgery. Participants are randomly assigned to either receive active TENS or sham TENS. The active treatment involves placing four electrodes around the surgical site and delivering electrical stimulation at 100 Hz with a pulse width of 200 microseconds for 30 minutes, twice daily, for three consecutive days starting 24 hours after surgery. The sham group undergoes the same setup but without actual electrical stimulation. Both groups receive standard postoperative care. During the study, participants will have their pain intensity measured using the Numeric Rating Scale at several points before surgery, 24 and 72 hours after starting the intervention, and on the day of hospital discharge. Sleep quality and health-related quality of life will also be assessed at these times using specific questionnaires. The study monitors participants throughout the intervention period, measuring these outcomes to evaluate the potential benefits of TENS in postoperative recovery.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Acute Postoperative Pain After Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery