Small-sized attached transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation in the treatment of chronic cervical pain

doi:10.12307/2023.009

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation has the advantages of non-invasiveness and convenience, and is one of the commonly used physical factors for the treatment of chronic neck pain. However, the current clinical use of percutaneous nerve electrical stimulation equipment has high cost and specific site requirements. It is necessary to actively explore economic, convenient and effective methods for the treatment of cervical pain.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of small-sized attached transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation combined with cervical health education on chronic cervical pain.
METHODS: From November 2020 to July 2021, 22 patients with chronic cervical pain were recruited in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, including 5 males and 17 females, at the age of 18-60 years. On the basis of cervical posture education and cervical muscle home stretching training, a small-sized attached transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator was used every day for 15 minutes lasting for 2 weeks. The changes of pain visual analogue scale score, muscle pressure pain threshold, and neck disability index were evaluated before treatment, immediately after the first treatment, 1 and 2 weeks after treatment.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Compared with baseline score, the pain score evaluated immediately after the first treatment, 1 and 2 weeks after treatment decreased significantly in 22 patients (P < 0.05). The left cervical pain scores decreased immediately and 2 weeks after treatment (P < 0.05). (2) Compared with baseline data, the pressure pain threshold of the left and right trapezius muscles in 22 patients increased significantly 2 weeks after treatment (P < 0.05). Pressure pain threshold at 1 cm from left and right C5C6 spinous process increased significantly 2 weeks after treatment (P < 0.05). (3) Compared with baseline, neck disability index decreased 2 weeks after treatment in 22 patients (P < 0.05). (4) The results showed that small-sized attached transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation combined with home exercise could remarkably reduce cervical pain immediately and in the short term. The muscle pressure pain threshold and cervical function were also improved in the short term.

Key words: cervical pain, transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation, pressure pain threshold, cervical function, trapezius muscle, pain

CLC Number:

Yao Yuan, Xu Yuanjing, Ren Fuchao, Miao Weiqiang, Wang Jinwu. Small-sized attached transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation in the treatment of chronic cervical pain[J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2023, 27(21): 3332-3336.

Figures/Tables 2

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