The Effects of Auricular Electroacustimulation and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Postoperative Pain Control in Total Knee Replacement Patients

외이전기경혈자극과 경피전기신경자극이 슬관절 전 치환슬 환자의 수술 후 통증조절에 미치는 효과

This study was done to determine differences in effect of postoperative pain control in patients receiving auricular electroacustimulation vs transcutaneous electrical nerve stimualtion following total knee replacement surgery. Thirty-one cases referred to physical therapy department after treated by total knee replacement surgery by orthopedic surgery department at the Pohang St. Mary's Hospital from January 1993 through June 1994. Of 31 total knee replacement cases, 13 cases were auricular electroacustimulation group, 11 cases were transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group, and 7 cases were control group. The results of the study summerized are as follows: Thirty-one total knee replacement cases(male in 12 cases, female in 19 cases), ranging in age from 34 to 61 years(mean${\pm}$SD=49.90 7.56) with diagnoses of degenerative arthritis(20 cases), rheumatoid arthritis(9 cases), and other(2 cases). In auricular electroacustimulation group, there was a significant change of pain intensity, unpleasantness, and active range of motion after treatment(p<0.01). In transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group, there was a significant change of pain intensity, unpleasantness, and active range of motion after treatment(p<0.01). In control group, did not show significant pre-posttreatment differences in pain intensity, unpleasantness, active range of motion(p>0.05). The mean change in pain intensity and unpleasantness, active range of motion from pretreatment baseline for the 3 groups. Auricular electroacustimulation group showed the large magnitude of increase in pain intensity and unpleasantness, active range of motion when compared to its own pretreatment cycle. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group showed small magnitude of increase in pain intensity and unpleasantness, active range of motion when compared to its own pretreatment cycle. No significant changes were observed in control group. Highly significant differences in pain intensity, unpleasantness, and active rage of motion were found using an ANOVA measures between treatment groups and control group(p<0.01). The squares correlation coefficients of pain and function measures pretreatment-posttreatment differences for each group. In treatment group, there was significant correlation between pain scale and function(p<0.001). In control group, there was no correlation between the pain scale and function (p>0.05). The continuous study is needd for many interesting issues of auricular electroacustimulation in new future.