The effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Interferential Currents (IFC) on pain, functional capacity, and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled, single-blinded study.

Abstract

The aim is to compare the effects of different electrical stimulations on pain, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS). 40 pwMS were included in the study, randomized by simple random method and divided into 2 groups. Low-frequency Transkutaneal Electric Stimulation (TENS) was applied to 1st group and Interferential current was applied to 2nd group for 30min 5 days/a week for 4 weeks. For pain severity Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), for neuropathic pain the LANSS questionnaire was used. Functional capacity was evaluated with the 2-minute walk test (2MWT) and quality of life was evaluated with the 'Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life Scale (MusiQol)'. The most severe and mean VAS and LANSS results significiantly decreased, 2MWT results significiantly increased in two groups (p<0.05). A significiant increase was found in all sub-headings of the MusiQol, except for the relationship with the health system in TENS group (p<0.05). An increase was found in the total score, activities of daily living, well-being, relationship with friends, relationship with family, sexual life, rejection sub-headings of the MusiQol in IFC group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of VAS, LANSS, 2MWT and MusiQol (p>0.05). In this study, it was found that interference current and TENS applications decrease pain and increase functional capacity. However, it was determined that TENS application was a more effective method in increasing the quality of life. NCT05110586.