Dynamics of the quality of life of patients with distal polyneuropathy of the lower extremities against the background of the use of direct transcutaneous electroneurostimulation. Clinical trial

Abstract Recently, the term «patient quality of life» has become more common, especially in the treatment of patients with pain syndrome. Quality of life assessment is a more objective method for assessing the improvement of a patient’s condition with pain syndrome, since quality of life correlates with the stability of remission and a qualitative reduction in pain syndrome in all aspects — from sensory to affective. Objective. Conducting a correlation analysis between a decrease in pain syndrome and an improvement in the quality of life of patients in the treatment of severe neuropathic pain syndrome using direct transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation (TENS). Material and methods. The study included 158 patients with DPNC with severe neuropathic pain syndrome. The quality of life of patients with neuropathic pain syndrome in type 2 diabetes was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. Results. The use of individual courses of TENS of various modalities leads to an improvement in the quality of life of patients with severe neuropathic pain syndrome. Acupuncture improves the quality of life of patients with severe neuropathic pain syndrome and is not inferior in effectiveness to TENS. Conclusions. The obtained data indicate a higher efficiency of the combined use of TENS and acupuncture in improving the quality of life of patients with DPNK with severe neuropathic pain syndrome compared to their use as mono-effects.