HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Stratton, S. A Articles by Smith, M. M Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Stratton, S. A Articles by Smith, M. M

Postoperative Thoracotomy: Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Forced Vital Capacity

CPT Stratton is Educational Coordinator, Physical Therapy Clinic, Womack Army Hospital, Fort Bragg, NC 28307.
Ms. Smith is Staff Physical Therapist, Baptist Hospital, Pensacola, FL 32501.

The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on patients who had undergone thoracotomies, using the objective physiological measurement of forced vital capacity. Twenty-one patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 11) or a control group (n = 10). Each group performed three trials of forced vital capacity testing over a 20-minute period. In addition, the experimental group was given a 10-minute treatment of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation at the sites of greatest pain. The data indicated a statistically significant increase in forced vital capacity during the stimulation (p < .01), suggesting that transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation during application improves chest expansion and mobility in patients who have had thoracotomies.

Key Words: Electric stimulation • Pain, postoperative • Physical therapy • Vital capacity