BackgroundPain during labour is one of the most intense pain that women may experience in their lifetime. There are several non-pharmacological analgesic methods to relieve pain during labour, among them transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). TENS is a low-frequency electrotherapy technique, analgesic type, generally used in musculoskeletal pathology, but it has also come to be used as an alternative treatment during labour. The purpose of this study is to investigate the pain-relieving effect of a TENS application during labour and to find out the most effective dose.MethodsThis study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. TENS therapy was initiated at the beginning of the active phase of labour. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups (21 per group: two active TENS and one placebo). Active TENS 1 intervention consisted in a constant frequency of 100-Hz, 100-μs, active TENS 2 intervention consisted in a varying high-frequency (80–100 Hz), 350 μs, and in a placebo group, participants were connected to the TENS unit without electrical stimulation. TENS was applied with two self-adhesive electrodes placed parallel to the spinal cord (T10–L1 and S2–S4 levels). The primary outcome was pain intensity (0–10 cm) measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) at several stages (at baseline and at 10 and 30 min later). Secondary outcomes included women’s satisfaction (via the Care in Obstetrics: Measure for Testing Satisfaction scale).ResultsSixty-three women participated. Regarding baseline characteristics, no differences were found among the three groups. The active TENS 2 group obtained an improvement with clinically significant VAS results (− 2.9, 95% confidence interval – 4.1 to − 1.6, p <  0.001). Regarding satisfaction, the results also revealed better results in the active TENS than in the placebo group.ConclusionsTENS with high frequencies modified in time as well as high pulse width are effective for relieving labour pain, and they are well considered by pregnant participants.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03137251. Registered on 2 May 2017.

Background: The factors related to the satisfaction of women during labour vary widely. Pain relief is one of the fundamental weaknesses, so it could influence the rating of the rest of the satisfaction items. The use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), like a non-pharmacologic pain relief approach, is a safe and effective technique used during childbirth. Measure for Testing Satisfaction (COMFORTS) scale is a specific questionnaire that includes the most important factors associated with the relation between mother satisfaction and the childbirth experience. The aim is to analyse factors influencing satisfaction in pregnant women during labour and its relationship with pain management.Methods: A randomized and double-blind controlled trial was conducted. All participants completed the satisfaction scale immediately after childbirth. A total of 63 participants were randomly assigned to one Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) device to relieve the pain, with different dose in each patients group. This was measured with two scales; the satisfaction level was measured with the COMFORTS scale and pain was measured with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: the total satisfaction scale mean score was 171.03 (SD 19.69) with an individual item mean of 4.28. Women who expressed a low level of satisfaction had experienced severe pain. A lower degree of satisfaction was observed in women with severe pain (3.03 ± 1.1) than in women with moderate pain (4.53 ± 0.7). Women who have had more than one delivery presented the highest level of satisfaction, followed by nulliparous and those who have had a previous pregnancy. Conclusions: Overall, high level of satisfaction during labour was obtained; we recommend the use of Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for pain relief to improve general satisfaction.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03137251.

Background: The factors related to the satisfaction of women during labour vary widely. Pain relief is one of the fundamental weaknesses, so it could influence the rating of the rest of the satisfaction items. The use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), like a non-pharmacologic pain relief approach, is a safe and effective technique used during childbirth. Measure for Testing Satisfaction (COMFORTS) scale is a specific questionnaire that includes the most important factors associated with the relation between mother satisfaction and the childbirth experienceAim: to analyse factors influencing satisfaction in pregnant women during labour and its relationship with pain management. Design: A randomized and double-blind controlled trial was conducted. All participants completed the satisfaction scale immediately after childbirth. Methods: A total of 63 participants were randomly assigned to one Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) device to relieve the pain, with different dose in each patients group. This was measured with two scales; the satisfaction level was measured with the COMFORTS scale and pain was measured with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: the total satisfaction scale mean score was 171.03 (SD 19.69) with an individual item mean of 4.28. Women who expressed a low level of satisfaction had experienced severe pain. A lower degree of satisfaction was observed in women with severe pain (3.03 ± 1.1) than in women with moderate pain (4.53 ± 0.7). Women who have had more than one delivery presented the highest level of satisfaction, followed by nulliparous and those who have had a previous pregnancy. Conclusions: Overall, high level of satisfaction during labour was obtained; we recommend the use of Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for pain relief to improve general satisfaction.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03137251.First registration: 02/05/2017Protocol: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03137251?term=baez+suarez&draw=2&rank=9