Use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in Labor Pain: An Integrative Review

Background: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a noninvasive, safe electrophysical pain relief method during childbirth.

Aim: This study was carried out to reveal information about the effectiveness of TENS, which is used to relieve labor pain.

Methods: Inspired by Whittemore and Knafl, we conducted an integrative literature review, including the five key stages of problem identification, literature search, data evaluation, data analysis, and presentation of results. This integrative review was performed between February 27 and March 30, 2023, using the Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases. The search was made over Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa internet access network using the English keywords such as (birth OR labor OR labor pain OR birth pain) AND (women OR pregnant women OR pregnancy) AND (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation OR TENS OR nonpharmacological). The checklist developed by Joanna Briggs Institute was used to examine the methodological quality of studies.

Results: Eleven articles were included in this study. The total number of samples included in the research is 1,576. The Visual Analog Scale was used to assess labor pain in 9 of the 11 studies included in the research. In all studies, high-frequency TENS (at frequencies of 15-100 Hz) was used in the active phase of labor. It is seen that the TENS intervention was more effective in studies comparing it with control, placebo, lavender, and water immersion at cervical dilatation at 6 cm groups.

Conclusion: In studies evaluating the effectiveness of TENS, it has been found to be an effective method in relieving labor pain.