• Banghyun Lee, Seung Hwa Hong, Kidong Kim, Wee Chang Kang, Jae Hong No, Jung Ryeol Lee, Byung Chul Jee, Eun Joo Yang, Eun-Jong Cha, and Yong Beom Kim.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea.
• Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. 2015 Nov 1; 194: 58-63.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of the combined therapy with high-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (hf-TENS) and thermotherapy in relieving primary dysmenorrheal pain.Study DesignIn this randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study, 115 women with moderate or severe primary dysmenorrhea were assigned to the study or control group at a ratio of 1:1. Subjects in the study group used an integrated hf-TENS/thermotherapy device, whereas control subjects used a sham device. A visual analog scale was used to measure pain intensity. Variables related to pain relief, including reduction rate of dysmenorrheal score, were compared between the groups.ResultsThe dysmenorrheal score was significantly reduced in the study group compared to the control group following the use of the devices. The duration of pain relief was significantly increased in the study group compared to the control group. There were no differences between the groups in the brief pain inventory scores, numbers of ibuprofen tablets taken orally, and World Health Organization quality of life-BREF scores. No adverse events were observed related to the use of the study device.ConclusionsThe combination of hf-TENS and thermotherapy was effective in relieving acute pain in women with moderate or severe primary dysmenorrhea.Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

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