"The Beliefs and Attitudes of Cypriot Physical Therapists Regarding the Use of TENS in Pain Management"

Dimitrios Stasinopoulos

doi:10.26717/bjstr.2019.23.003948

Abstract

Based on the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) pain is “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage”[1]...

Highlights

PainBased on the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) pain is “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage”[1]
Almost all physiotherapists reported that their patients benefit to some extent from the Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and most would suggest it as a home remedy
TENS is a popular prescription, while most Cypriots request or have already used it. 58.4% of Cypriot physiotherapists believe it is cost-effective while 28.3% said that they did not know

Summary

Introduction

PainBased on the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) pain is “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage”[1]. Pain is a protective tool, but if it loses its adaptive property it can get converted to a pathological issue. Chronic pain has been accepted as a pathology and a disorganization of the nervous system. It can be caused by genetic predisposition, central sensitization mechanisms and other factors [2]. Bonica (1953) suggested that chronic pain sensation no longer serves a useful purpose and has a psychological and somatic affect [2]. Pain is the main cause of a patient’s visit to the physiotherapist. The physiotherapist’s role is very important in the treatment of the patient and many studies support the effectiveness of TENS to improve the pain levels. There is still a difference in its use by therapists and researchers

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