Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Postoperative Pain and Lung Function Among Patients Post Open Heart Surgery

Background: The application of safe assistive technologies like Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) can help relieve postoperative pain and improve pulmonary functions after open heart surgery.Aim: to examine the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on postoperative pain and lung function post-open cardiac surgery.Setting: The study was conducted in the cardiothoracic surgery ICU of Benha University Hospital.Sample: A purposive sample of 60 postoperative patients newly admitted to the open-heart ICU.Design: A quasiexperimental (study/control group) design was used.Tools: (1) Demographic & Medical data sheet, (2) Calibrated incentive spirometer used to assess vital capacity (VC), (3) Arterial blood gases to assess oxygenation status of patients, (4) Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and (5) Pain, Inspiratory capacity, and Cough score (PIC Score).Result: The study group demonstrated a significant reduction in pain scores, statistically significant differences in the dose of analgesics and ICU length of stay between the intervention and the standard groups, (p < 0.001).The study reveals a statistically significant difference between the study and control group regarding the pulmonary function (or vital capacity ) after 24,48,72 hr of intervention Conclusion: The application of TENS is effective in reducing postoperative pain, decreasing opioid and analgesic requirements, improving lung function, and decreasing ICU length of stay among post-open heart surgery patients.Recommendation Incorporating TENS into postoperative pain management protocols after open heart surgery.