Transcutaneous Eletrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in Oncologic Pain - a Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction: The study focused on data to demonstrate how transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can promote analgesia for cases of pain associated with oncologic disease. Objective: The focus of the study is highly relevant not only for physical therapists, but also for other health care professionals, since cancer has become more common in the population and pain is a major symptom in the majority of patients. Results: The literature review found key information for explaining how TENS can act as an adjuvant in the control of oncologic pain. Conclusion: Although various studies have demonstrated the efficacy of TENS in pain relief, further research is needed to clarify the actual role of this analgesic modality, since most studies emphasize that pain associated with cancer is a multifactor process, hence the great difficulty in finding more solid scientific proof for such treatment.