Interferential Current and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Pain After Cesarean Section

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Conventional TENS: Conventional TENS will be applied for 30 minutes at a frequency of 125 Hz and a pulse duration of 60 microseconds. Four self-adhesive electrodes will be positioned around the cesarean incision. Current intensity will be increased to a strong but comfortable sensory level and adjusted during the session to maintain the same sensation.

Interferential Current Therapy: Interferential current therapy will be applied for 30 minutes using a fixed frequency of 100 Hz. Four self-adhesive electrodes will be positioned around the cesarean incision in a crossed arrangement. Current intensity will be increased to a strong but comfortable sensory level and adjusted during the session to maintain the same sensation.

Placebo Electrical Stimulation: The electrodes and stimulation device will be applied in the same position and for the same 30-minute duration as in the active intervention groups; however, no electrical current will be delivered.

Study summary

This study aims to compare the immediate and short-term effects of interferential current therapy and conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with placebo stimulation on pain and postpartum comfort following cesarean section. A total of 54 primiparous women aged 18-40 years will be randomly assigned to an interferential current, TENS, or placebo group. Each intervention will be administered for 30 minutes. Pain intensity at rest and during in-bed activities will be assessed before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and at 1 and 2 hours after the intervention. Postpartum comfort, treatment satisfaction, anxiety, and depression will also be evaluated.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change in Pain Intensity at Rest — Baseline, immediately after the 30-minute intervention, 1 hour after the intervention, and 2 hours after the intervention
  Pain intensity at rest will be assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity. Changes from baseline will be compared among the three groups.

Trial sites (1)

Other trials for the same condition