Analgesic electrical currents associated with carboxytherapy in women with cellulite: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

Pain is considered the main limiting factor in carboxytherapy. Electroanalgesia has gained recognition in the field of dermatology and to date, only transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has proved to be effective at reducing pain associated with carboxytherapy; however, the effect of medium frequency currents has yet to be investigated. Compare the effects of TENS, interferential current (IFC), and Aussie current on pain intensity associated with carboxytherapy and sensory comfort in the treatment of cellulite. Seventy-five women aged 18-49 years with moderate and/or severe gluteal cellulite were randomized into three groups: TENS (n=25), IFC (n=25), and Aussie current (n=25), which underwent three sessions of carboxytherapy associated with an electrical current. Current amplitude was adjusted after each puncture, according to the maximum tolerance reported by participants, below the motor threshold. Pain intensity was measured using a numeric rating scale (0-10) and sensory comfort with the visual analogue scale (0-10). There was no significant intergroup difference in pain intensity (p > 0.05) and sensory comfort (p=0.502) during the application of carboxytherapy throughout the three treatment sessions. TENS, IFC, and Aussie currents showed no difference in pain intensity reduction and no current was found to be more comfortable.