Efeito da eletroanalgesia no controle da disestesia em mulheres submetidas a linfonodectomia axilar

Abstract

Surgical treatment of breast cancer brings many complications such as dysesthesia at the intercostal nerve dermatome (NICB) due to manipulation of the axillary region. As a treatment for abnormal sensitivity, transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) has been used in other neuropathic injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of TENS on dysesthesia caused by an injury in the NICB in women undergoing to axillary lymphadenectomy (LA). This is a placebo-controlled, randomized, double blind clinical trial in involved 32 women who underwent to LA and showed dysesthesia, 16 patients were randomly allocated to active TENS group and 16 in the other group placebo TENS. The instruments used to measure pain were the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ-Br). Cutaneous and pressure pain threshold were assessed by using esthesiometry and pressure algometry, respectively. Current amplitude of the electrical pulse was recorded along the 20 sessions. The measurement of quality of life was performed by using the EORTC QLQ-C3O (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life), followed by its specific module EORTC QLQ-BR23. It was observed that the intensity of sensory discomfort decreased only in the group treated with active TENS when compared to placebo (p<0.06). There was a significant reduction of the pain index and the number of words chosen in the active TENS group when analyzing both paired and independent measurements (p=0.003 and p=0.05). The amplitude of the electric current significantly increased in the active TENS group (p<0.006). No differences were observed in cutaneous threshold, however, there was significant reduction in the pressure pain threshold in the placebo TENS group (p<0.001). Regarding to the quality of life, there was a significant decrease of the domain scores overall health of the EORTC QLQ-C30 in the placebo TENS group (p<0.022), with no significant differences for scores of EORTC QLQ-BR23. It is concluded that TENS reduced the intensity of discomfort in the NICB dermatome, and over time, it was possible to administer higher amplitude of current in the group of TENS active. However, no improvement was observed in the characterization of discomfort in the skin and pressure pain thresholds and quality of life.