ACU-TENS on Pain and Stress Reduction Before and During TUGOR

This protocol makes use of the acu-TENS treatment on the acupoints Hegu (LI4), Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Taichong (LR3). After cleaning the acupoints with alcohol, electrode pads (HC-ROUND-32 2.0) will be placed on the acupoints according to the locations described in the Standard International Acupuncture Nomenclature. The electrode pads will be connected to a TENS machine (MTR+ Myolito Multifunctional Stimulator MTRP-00003), in which ipsilateral LI4 and SP36, SP6 and LR3 serve a pair. A pulse rate of 120 Hz, current of 3-5 mA, and pulse width of 300µS will be delivered continually during TUGOR.

In the sham acu-TENS, within the same time interval, TENS pads will be placed on the same acupoints, connected to the machine, but without electric current.