Brazilian Journal of Pain
https://brjp.org.br/article/doi/10.5935/2595-0118.20200200
Brazilian Journal of Pain
Review Article

Does transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation reduces pain free of adverse effects during pregnancy? Systematic review

Estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea reduz a dor sem efeitos adversos durante a gestação? Revisão sistemática

Andreza Carvalho Rabelo Mendonça; Natália Barreto Rocha Souto; Lucas Vasconcelos Lima; Isabela Freire Azevedo-Santos; Mariana Tirolli Rett; Josimari Melo DeSantana

http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/2595-0118.20200200 BrJP, vol.3, n4, p.374-380, 2020
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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is considered a current that should not be applied in pregnant women to avoid adverse effects. This systematic review aimed to analyze the scientific evidence about the use of TENS during pregnancy.

CONTENTS: This study was conducted on November 2019 by searching the electronic databases: Pubmed, Scielo, LILACS, Science Direct, Cochrane Library and PEDro. The following descriptors were used: "transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation" combined with "pregnancy". Only randomized clinical trials that investigated the use of TENS during pregnancy were selected. Methodological quality was assessed by using the Cochrane Collaboration Tool (RevMan 5.3 software). Studies were classified according to the risk of bias (low, high or unclear). From 691 eligible publications, only two randomized clinical trials were selected according to inclusion criteria. Low risk of bias was detected in most items in one study and high risk for performance, detection and reporting bias were evidenced in the other study. Other bias (TENS intensity control by patient) was considered unclear in both studies.

CONCLUSION: There is not enough support that TENS neither reduces pain intensity nor causes adverse effects in pregnant patients.

Keywords

Analgesia, Pregnancy, Pregnant, Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation

Resumo

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea (TENS) é considerada uma corrente não recomendada para gestantes a fim de evitar efeitos adversos. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as evidências científicas sobre o uso da TENS durante a gestação.

CONTEÚDO: Estudo realizado em novembro de 2019 pela busca nas seguintes bases de dados: Pubmed, Scielo, LILACS, Science Direct, Cochrane Library e PEDro. Os descritores "transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation" e "pregnancy" foram utilizados. Ensaios clínicos randomizados que investigaram o uso da TENS durante a gestação foram selecionados. A qualidade metodológica dos estudos foi avaliada através da Ferramenta da Colaboração Cochrane (software RevMan 5.3). A partir de 691 estudos encontrados, somente dois estudos clínicos randomizados foram selecionados de acordo com os critérios de inclusão. Baixo risco de viés foi detectado na maioria dos itens em um dos estudos e alto risco de viés de desempenho, detecção e relato foram evidenciados em outro estudo. Outro viés, como controle da intensidade da TENS pelo paciente, foi considerado incerto em ambos os estudos.

CONCLUSÃO: Não há evidências científicas suficientes que suportem a redução da intensidade de dor nem a ocorrência de efeitos adversos promovidas pela TENS em pacientes gestantes.

Palavras-chave

Analgesia, Estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea, Gestantes, Gravidez

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Submitted date:
04/15/2020

Accepted date:
09/14/2020

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