Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Pain Control During Labor and Delivery

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been used to diminish postoperative pain1 and many forms of chronic pain2 with reportedly good results. There have been few reports of the use of TENS during childbirth in the physical therapy literature. Several European studies have reported good effects of TENS in the reduction of pain associated with labor and delivery.3-6 Because TENS is a noninvasive analgesic procedure and no maternal or fetal side effects have been encountered,3-5 a firsthand evaluation of this modality seemed appropriate. In this case study, we portray how TENS was used with one patient to prompt physical therapists and other health care providers to develop protocols and conduct research for use of this modality. Melzack and Wall's gate control theory of pain provides one theoretical foundation for TENS.7 According to thi