The investigators will assess the use of Transcutaneous Neurostimulation (TENS), a pharmacological alternative, for treatment of ureteral stent pain post-ureteroscopy. The primary aim for the investigators is to determine if use of a TENS unit will reduce post-operative pain and nausea associated with the ureteral stent. Secondary aim will be to assess if it can help minimize narcotic use.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
41
TENS device used four times a day for 60 minutes each time
Stanford
Stanford, California, United States
Pain on 11-point Visual Analog Score Scale (VAS)
Cumulative average pain score using an 11-point VAS. The VAS is a validated tool widely used to assess pain intensity. Possible score ranges: * Scale for back pain: 0 (no pain) - 10 (worst pain) * Abdominal/Groin Pain: 0 (no pain) - 10 (worst pain) * Pain Frequency: 0 (not at all) - 10 (All day or night long) * Nausea intensity: 0 (No nausea) - 10 (Worst possible nausea)
Time frame: Assessed daily until removal of stent, approximately 3-10 days after placement
Difference in Pain on 11-point Visual Analog Score Scale (VAS)
Cumulative average difference in pain score using an 11-point VAS. The VAS is a validated tool widely used to assess pain intensity. Possible score ranges: * Scale for back pain: 0 (no pain) - 10 (worst pain) * Abdominal/Groin Pain: 0 (no pain) - 10 (worst pain) * Pain Frequency: 0 (not at all) - 10 (All day or night long) * Nausea intensity: 0 (No nausea) - 10 (Worst possible nausea)
Time frame: Assessed daily until removal of stent, approximately 3-10 days after placement
Total Opioid Consumption
Consumption in morphine milligram equivalents (MME), based on patient-self-report in Daily Symptom Questionnaire.
Time frame: Until stent removal (up to 10 days)
Difference in Total Opioid Consumption
Consumption (in MME), based on patient-self-report in Daily Symptom Questionnaire.
Time frame: Until stent removal (up to 10 days)
Ureteral Stent Discomfort Test (USDT) Scale Score
Overall score scale:0 to 61 points; subdomain scales: urinary symptoms: 0 to 30; pain: 0 to 6: daily life: 0 to 5; sexual life: 0 to 5; medical care/analgesic use: 0 to 10; and overall quality of life: 0 to 5. Subscale scores are totaled to calculate the overall score. Higher scores correspond to more severe symptoms for the overall score and all subscale scores.
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Time frame: Assessed at removal of stent, approximately 3-10 days after placement
Patient Satisfaction Survey
Participants were asked if they would prefer using TENS over pain medication during a pain episode, and whether they would consider using TENS over pain medication in the future. This outcome was assessed only in participants who were randomized to the TENS device group.
Time frame: End of study (day 3 to 10)