[The non-pharmacological management of chronic pain]. / La prise en charge non médicamenteuse de la douleur chronique.

Pain management is not limited to the putting in place of pharmacological, surgical, physiotherapy or psychological strategies. Non-pharmacological therapies can also be proposed, notably in relation to chronic pain. Appreciated by patients and developed by caregivers, they require appropriate regulatory guidelines and specific training in order for them to be implemented safely.

La estimulación eléctrica nerviosa transcutánea (TENS). El manejo del dolor durante el proceso de parto / Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain management during labor

En la actualidad, la analgesia epidural se perfila como el método farmacológico más empleado en obstetricia para el manejo del dolor durante el parto, pero esta técnica no está exenta de riesgos. Existen métodos no farmacológicos que se pueden utilizar alternativamente o en sinergia con la analgesia epidural, que no presentan efectos adversos sobre los resultados materno-fetales y que pueden ayudar a paliar el dolor. Entre estos métodos se encuentra la estimulación eléctrica nerviosa transcutánea (TENS). La TENS es una técnica fisioterapéutica especialmente indicada durante el periodo de dilatación, en el inicio del trabajo del parto, y mientras la mujer no percibe un dolor muy intenso. Su uso en el parto es relativamente reciente y controvertido. A pesar de ser bien recibido por mujeres y matronas, su eficacia no está demostrada claramente. Así pues, organismos como la Sociedad Española de Ginecología y Obstetricia o el Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad, consideran esta terapia como un mecanismo de alivio del dolor no farmacológico de ineficacia demostrada en la fase activa del parto. Las mujeres deben tener la opción de elegir los métodos de alivio de dolor que quieren emplear en cualquier etapa de su parto. Los profesionales sanitarios son los responsables de conocer, investigar y trabajar con los diferentes métodos, ofreciendo a la gestante información adecuada y basada en evidencia científica sobre ellos (AU)

Currently, epidural analgesia is considered the most used method for pain management during labor, but this technique could have side effects. There are non-pharmacological methods that can be used alternatively or in synergy with epidural analgesia, without adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcomes. These methods include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). TENS is a physiotherapy technique particularly suitable for the dilation period, during the first state of labor, and while women does not perceive a very intense pain. The use in childbirth is recent and controversial. Despite being well received by women and midwives, their effectiveness has not been clearly demonstrated. Organizations such as the Spanish Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics and the Department of Health, consider this therapy an inefficient non-pharmacological mechanism for pain relief in the active stage of labor. Women should have the option to choose any pain relief mathod in any stage of their process. Health professionals are the responsible to know, investigate and work with these different methods, offering to pregnant women, adequate information, which must be based on scientific evidence (AU)

Effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions to promote urinary continence in stroke survivors ­ a systematic literature review / Wirksamkeit von nichtmedikamentösen Interventionen zur Förderung der Urinkontinenz bei Menschen nach einem cerebro-vaskulären Insult - eine systematische Literaturübersicht

Background: Around half of the people who survive a cerebrovascular insult are suffering from urinary incontinence. This is a predictor for functional outcomes and affects the quality of life negatively. Until now, it is not clear, which the optimal method of treatment is. A systematic review of 2008 showed an insufficient data situation and couldn't make a recommendation. Research question: Which non-pharmacological interventions are effective to promote urinary continence in adult persons who have suffered a cerebrovascular insult? Method: To answer the question a systematic literature review was performed. The literature search was conducted in the databases PubMed, CINAHL, CENTRAL and PsycInfo. The period from March 2007 to May 2015 was taken into account. Results: There were a total of six studies included which examined 732 persons. The following interventions were explored for their effectiveness: transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, urodynamic assessment with recommendation of bladder emptying method and interventions that consist of several components (e. g. toilet training). All studies showed a positive effect in at least one outcome. Conclusions: There is limited evidence for interventions to promote urinary continence in people suffering a cerebrovascular insult. An intervention consisting of assessment and individual adapted measures currently appear to be the best treatment method.

[Nursing expertise in transcutaneous neurostimulation]. / L'expertise infirmière en neurostimulation transcutanée.

Transcutaneous neurostimulation is a non-drug based method of analgesia, prescribed by a pain specialist in a pain assessment and treatment centre. The tests are carried out by a nurse specialised in the treatment of pain. They require specialist nursing expertise in a therapeutic education approach in collaboration with a doctor.

Exploring the evidence for using TENS to relieve pain.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has several advantages as it is a non-addictive, non-invasive means of analgesia that is simple to use, portable and can give continuous analgesia for a variety of conditions. This article outlines how it works and examines the evidence on its efficacy and possible uses in clinical practice.

Terapia combinada con electroestimulación y apósitos convencionales, como tratamiento de úlceras y heridas en pacientes en hemodiálisis / No disponible

No disponible

Pain relief in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: TENS.

Pain is a common symptom experienced by people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and impacts upon mobility and quality of life. This article reviews the limited evidence relating to TENS for pain relief which suggests that it is beneficial for some patients and does no harm. More research is needed to clarify optimal treatments regimes and its cost-effectiveness compared to conventional analgesia.

Assessing, diagnosing and managing neuropathic pain.

Neuropathic pain and its co-morbidities can be detrimental to a patient's quality of life, affecting both physical and psychological well-being. Diagnosing neuropathic pain can be difficult and some patients may have to wait up to 12 months to see a pain specialist. The nursing contribution to recognising and managing neuropathic pain is vital if patient care is to be improved. It is therefore necessary for nurses to understand the assessment, diagnosis and management of neuropathic pain.

Validation of cutaneous stimulation interventions for pain management.

The purpose of this study was to identify and validate specific activities considered important in the implementation of selected cutaneous stimulation pain management interventions including heat and cold application, massage and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). A two-round Delphi survey was completed by nurses selected for their expertise in pain management. Data were analyzed using a modification of Fehring's diagnostic content validity method. Consistently high scores were obtained by the raters for each intervention and activity, with most activities perceived as critical to the intervention. From this process, a list of activities for each cutaneous stimulation intervention evolved that are applicable to education, clinical practice and clinical nursing research.