The effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on pain memory in patients with forearm or wrist fractures

TENS application is frequently used for the treatment of pain. In our study, the effect of TENS application on pain memory and functional outcomes in patients with forearm or wrist fractures was investigated. A total of 46 patients, 37 males and 9 females, participated in our study. The pain memory of the related patients was measured in two parameters, and the pain area and pain intensity were measured four times, at the 3rd, 8th and 12th weeks, by accepting the first measurement at the postoperative 48-72nd hour as the reference. Muscle and grip strength were measured at 8 and 12 weeks, and range of motion at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Cognitive status, activities of daily living and anxiety status measured at 48-72. hours and 12 weeks. Functional outcomes were evaluated using Quick-DASH at week 12. Elbow, wrist and forearm active-passive ROM measurements were statistically significant. Statistically significant was found in the affected side muscle and grip strength of the patients. A statistically significant difference was found in the Lawton, Katz and Montreal scores. There was no statistically significant difference in the Beck scores. There was no statistically significant difference in VAS activity pain, VAS rest pain, VAS night pain, McGill-Melzack score and pain area measurements. As a result, it was concluded that TENS has a clinical effect on joint range of motion, muscle strength, grip strength, activities of daily living and cognitive status. It has been reported that TENS has no clinical effect on pain memory and anxiety.