Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Pain Control During First Trimester Abortion

Summary

High-frequency, high-intensity transcutaneous electrical nerve-stimulation (TENS) is an inexpensive and non-invasive pain control approach. TENS, pulsating electrical currents that activate underlying nerves, does not have drug interactions or risk of overdose. Cochrane review of TENS for acute pain found inconclusive evidence. One previous abortion trial comparing TENS to IV sedation only looked at pain control in the recovery room. The investigators propose a randomized controlled trial comparing TENS to IV sedation (in conjunction with local anesthesia) among women presenting for first-trimester surgical abortion. Primary outcome will be perceived pain by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) during aspiration.

Timeline

Start

2018-01-18

Primary completion

2019-10-31

Completion

2019-10-31

Publications

• Lerma K, Goldthwaite LM, Blumenthal PD, Shaw KA. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Pain Management of Aspiration Abortion up to 83 Days of Gestation: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Sep 1;138(3):417-425. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004502.

Drugs

Indications

No indication recorded.