THE ANALGESIC EFFECT OF TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION (TENS) IN PATIENTS WITH GORNATROSIS

Abstract

Introduction: Gonarthrosis is a degenerative process of the musculoskeletal system, mainly affecting the cartilage of the joints that support large impacts on the body. Given the variety of therapeutic options available, it is crucial to investigate the specific effects of interventions such as TENS. This technique has been widely studied and used in pain management in a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including knee osteoarthritis. Objective: To investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the analgesia of patients diagnosed with gonarthrosis. Methods: This is an integrative, exploratory, qualitative and descriptive literature review study. The search was carried out between March 2024 and August 2024, in the following databases: Virtual Health Library (VHL), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO) and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). The languages ​​used for the selection were Portuguese and English, covering articles with publication data between 2014 and 2024. The following keywords were used to search for journals: “Gonarthrosis”; “Osteoarthritis; “Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation”; “TENS”; “Physiotherapy”, in its English versions: “Gonarthrosis”; “Osteoarthritis; “Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation”; “TENS”; "Physiotherapy", with the help of the Boolean operators “AND”, “OR” and “NOT”. Results: However, adverse effects were reported in only one of the articles, namely mild contact dermatitis and a feeling of tightness in the lower limbs. The use of orthopedic devices, such as orthoses and insoles, together with TENS current and kinesiotherapy, can provide additional relief and support. Conclusion: The results indicate that TENS current can be applied to patients with knee OA, contributing to the reduction of pain and functional improvement, mainly benefiting the individual's gait and balance.