The effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on the pain intensity during insertion of vascular needles in hemodialysis patients

Although hemodialysis has an important role in prolonging the life expectancy of patients with chronic renal failure, the patients are facing further complications. Pain during insertion of vascular needles is the most high stress part of a hemodialysis treatment, so it is important to find ways to reduce pain in these patients. This study was conducted to determine the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the pain intensity when the needles are inserted into vascular access for hemodialysis. A semi-experimental and double blind study was performed on 30 patients in hemodialysis ward of Semnan Fatemieh hospital. In this study, pain intensity during insertion of hemodialysis vascular needles was measured by a numerical pain scale in a one group by using TENS and TENS placebo. The pair T test was used to determine pain intensity mean difference in two conditions. Overall, the results showed that the mean pain intensity was 3.3±2.13 and 3.56±2.16 in two conditions using TENS and TENS placebo, respectively. However, no significant difference was found between the mean pain intensity in two conditions statistically by using pair T test (p=0/55). 13/2 ± 3/3 Results showed that it cannot say, TENS is effective in reducing pain during insertion of vascular needles. The reason for this finding may be related to neuropathy and skin changes present at the insertion site of hemodialysis needles. It is recommended that nurses investigate the other methods for reducing pain in these patients. Keywords: