Effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation for Controlling Pain after the Archwire Placement.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) for controlling pain after the archwire placement and then comparison between the placebo, extra-oral, and intra-oral group depending upon the electrode placement.

Materials and methods: The study consists of a sample size of 90 patients who were further divided into three groups. Each group had 30 samples each, and the groups were divided into placebo group, extra-oral TENS group, and intra-oral TENS group. TENS application was done after the bonding and ligation of initial archwire. The patients were asked to record the level of pain on a VAS form at 4 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours interval.

Result: On comparison of VAS of all the three groups at 8 hours intervals significant result (P = 0.037) has occurred. Individual intra-group comparison has also shown some significant result.

Conclusion: TENS being a non-pharmacological, non-invasive method for controlling pain is found to be effective. Both the extra-oral and intra-oral applications are effective.