Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on pain intensity during application of carboxytherapy in patients with cellulite: A randomized placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Carboxytherapy may generate local pain that is considered the main limiting factor in clinical practice. Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) is widely used in the control of acute pain; however, the effect of TENS on pain relief during carboxytherapy has not been studied to date.

AIMS

To assess the effect of TENS on pain intensity during carboxytherapy in patients with cellulite in the gluteal region.

PATIENTS/METHODS

This randomized clinical trial was conducted with 84 patients, 18-44 years of age, who had moderate cellulite in the gluteal region, according to Cellulite Severity Scale, but never received carboxytherapy. Patients were randomized into 3 groups: active TENS, placebo TENS, and control group. For the intervention, skin depressions with cellulite were outlined, and the gluteal area to be treated was defined. The subcutaneous injection of CO₂ was performed using 0.30 × 13 mm-needles at a 45° angle, with a controlled flow rate of 100 mL/min maintained for 1 minute at each puncture site. The parameters for TENS were as follows: frequency of 100 Hz and pulse duration of 200 μs; TENS intensity was adjusted until the patient reported strong paresthesia. The visual numeric pain rating scale was used to assess pain intensity after each puncture.

RESULTS

The active TENS group reported lower pain intensity compared to the placebo TENS (P < .0001) and control (P < .0001) groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) was effective in reducing pain intensity during carboxytherapy in patients with cellulite in the gluteal region.