Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Menstrual Symptoms Among Adolescent Girls

Abstract

Menstruation and menstrual symptoms includes affective, social and somatic symptoms that occur around the time of menses. Because of recent concerns about non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Today, there is a great tendency to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), for the relief of dysmenorrhea such as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). Objective: Explore the effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on menstrual symptoms among adolescent girls. Setting: The study was conducted at Technical Institute of Nursing named “Dar Ismail” affiliated to the Ministry of Health and Population in Alexandria city. Subjects: The sample comprised 100 eligible female students who were suffering from moderate to severe primary dysmenorrhea. They were assigned equally into 2 groups: study group and control group. Tools: Three tools were validated and used for data collection; Students’ Basic Data Structured Interview Schedule, Visual Analogue Pain Intensity Scale, and Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire. Results: The main study findings show that, before intervention there was no statistically significant difference between the study and control groups regarding the severity of primary dysmenorrhea and its associated symptoms. Yet, students who received TENS application showed significantly reduction on the severity of dysmenorrhea pain (P<0.004& p=0.009& p=0.047) as well as daily life activities than control group, after intervention. On the other hand the severity of nausea /vomiting, dizziness/ tired were significantly improved among study than control group at first and third day of intervention (P< P<0.043& p=0.001) & (P<0.001, p=0.040) & (P<0.004& p=0.003). As same as, depression and loss of interest after one hour at first and third day of intervention between study and control group. Conclusion: It was concluded that TENS application is effective in alleviating menstrual pain and its related symptoms. Recommendations: It is important to have safe TENS therapies for the relief of menstrual problems.