Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: July | Volume: 6 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 53-58
Effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on Acupressure Point with Muscle Stretching in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients
M. Mahendiran1, R. Mahesh2
1Associate Professor, PSG College of Physiotherapy, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
2Professor, PSG College of Physiotherapy, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Corresponding Author: M. Mahendiran
ABSTRACT
Background - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a progressive condition characterized by airflow limitation which is not fully reversible (WHO). Acu-TENS is a low rate category of TENS which gives acupuncture like strong low frequency stimulus. Acu-TENS aids in improving energy flow to the lungs through neural stimulation and also facilitating release of endogenous opiates which are respiratory depressants. Hyperinflation of the chest places the pectoralis major in a shortened position, increasing resistance of the chest wall to expansion, further increasing the work of breathing and demand placed on respiratory muscles. Stretching aids in the elongation of this muscle and thereby decreases the work load on respiratory muscles.
Specific Objective - To compare the effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on acupressure point with muscle stretching technique and muscle stretching technique alone in increasing Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV₁) and decreasing Dyspnea in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Design - Pre test – Post test with comparative Treatment (Quasi experimental)
Study Setting - Department of Pulmonology, P.S.G Hospitals, Coimbatore.
Participants - A total of 30 COPD patients who have not received bronchodilator for the past 6 hours prior to data collection. Age more than 30 years.
Intervention -Group A-15 participants received Acu-TENS and muscle stretching technique with duration of 45 minutes (single session) and Group B-15 Participants received muscle stretching technique with duration of 20 minutes (three repetitions).
Outcome Measures - FEV₁ using Digital peak flow meter and Modified Borg dyspnea scale.
Results - The patients in Acu-TENS with muscle stretching group showed the mean difference in FEV1 and dyspnea were 0.62 and 4.46 respectively. The patients in muscle stretching group alone showed the mean difference of FEV1and dyspnea were 0.54 and 2.54 respectively using paired ‘t test. The FEV1of patients in Acu-TENS with stretching and stretching group showed a mean difference of 0.08 and dyspnea in acu tens with stretching and stretching showed a mean difference of 1.93 using independent‘t’ test.
Conclusion - This study reveals that there was more positive improvement in the group who received acu-TENS along with muscle stretching than the group who received muscle stretching alone.
Key words: Acu-TENS, acupressure point, muscle stretching, COPD.
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