Objective: To explore the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) for symptoms,life quality and sleep quality in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD).
Methods: A total of 46 GERD patients were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group,23 cases in each one. The conventional medication and nursing were applied in the two groups. TENS was used at Neiguan(PC 6) and Zusanli(ST 36) in the observation group for 4 weeks,20 min a time,twice a day. The indexes were compared between the two groups before and after treatment,including reflux disease questionnaire,the MOS 36-item short-form,Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI).
Results: Except the factor score of gengral health in the control group, the symptoms,life quality and sleep quality were superior to those before treatment in the two group (all P<0.01). The symptom and PSQI scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.01,P<0.05). The scores of general health, life vitality and mental health in the observation group were more apparently improved than those in the control group (all P<0.05).
Conclusions: TENS at Neiguan(PC 6) and Zusanli(ST 36) can improve the clinical symptoms,life quality and sleep quality of GERD based on the conventional treatment.
Keywords: gastroesophageal reflux disease; quality of life; quality of sleep; transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS).