A systematic review investigating the relationship between efficacy and stimulation parameters when using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation after knee arthroplasty

David Beckwée, Ivan Bautmans, Eva Swinnen, Yorick Vermet, Nina Lefeber, Pierre Lievens, Peter Vaes, David Beckwée, Ivan Bautmans, Eva Swinnen, Yorick Vermet, Nina Lefeber, Pierre Lievens, Peter Vaes

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation in the treatment of postoperative knee arthroplasty pain and to relate these results to the stimulation parameters used.

Data sources: PubMed, Pedro and Web of Knowledge were systematically screened for studies investigating effects of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation on postoperative knee arthroplasty pain.

Review methods: Studies were screened for their methodological and therapeutical quality. We appraised the influence of the stimulation settings used and indicated whether or not a neurophysiological and/or mechanistic rationale was given for these stimulation settings.

Results: A total of 5 articles met the inclusion criteria. In total, 347 patients were investigated. The number of patients who received some form of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation was 117, and 54 patients received sham transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation. Pain was the primary outcome in all studies. The stimulation settings used in the studies (n = 2) that reported significant effects differed from the others as they implemented a submaximal stimulation intensity. Stimulation parameters were heterogeneous, and only one study provided a rationale for them.

Conclusion: This review reveals that an effect of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation might have been missed due to low methodological and therapeutical quality. Justifying the choice of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation parameters may improve therapeutical quality.

Keywords: Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation; knee arthroplasty; pain.

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of conflicting interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Study selection flowchart.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Visualization of study arms with number of subjects of the five included studies. *Also implemented other study arms that were not included in this review. TKA: total knee arthroplasty; THA: total hip arthroplasty; CPM: continuous passive motion; TENS1: transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (40 mA); TENS2: transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (14 mA); PCA: patient-controlled analgesia.

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Source: PubMed

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