The Effects of Exercise Therapy and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for the Alleviation of Low Back Pain After Coronary Angiography

Hahn, Sook Won

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: After the coronary angiography procedure, patients are required to remain on bed rest to reduce the risk of bleeding and hematoma formation at the puncture site. This prolonged bed rest in the supine position is difficult for many patients, who frequently complain of low back pain. The purpose of the study was to determine whether a specially designed exercise therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) had an effect on the alleviation of low back pain. METHOD: Sixty-two patients were assigned to one of three groups: specially designed exercise therapy plus TENS plus general nursing care (exercise group N=21), general nursing care plus TENS (TENS group, N=23) or general nursing care (control group, N=18). The exercise therapy consisted of five movements including stretching, pelvic tilting, knee to chest, modified situps and trunk rotation with minimizing the motion of the puncture site. The severity of low back pain was assessed by a visual analogue scale(VAS) every two hours. The use of analgesic and any development of bleeding or other complications were monitored as well. The level of serum beta-endorphin was determined before and after the three interventions. RESULT: The pain score of the exercise group was significantly lowered compared to that of the other groups. There was no difference in the serum beta-endorphin level among three groups. Analgesic were less frequently taken by the exercise group. However the incidence of bleeding complications was not significantly different among the three groups.
CONCLUSION
Exercise therapy is more effective than general care or TENS in alleviating low back pain of the patients with coronary angiography.