Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation to Treat Primary Dysmenorrhea in Adolescents: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation (TC-TNS) to treat primary dysmenorrhea in adolescents METHODS: A double-blind, block-randomized controlled clinical trial, approved by the local Ethical Committee, was conducted. Adolescents between 12 and 19 years old with menstrual pain were included. Patients with secondary dysmenorrhea, who used hormonal contraception or intrauterine devices, who were pregnant, who requested contraception, who had contraindications to use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or who had intellectual disabilities were excluded. A total of 87 adolescents were randomized into 2 groups: group 1 received mefenamic acid during the first 3 days of the menstrual cycle and sham TC-TNS sessions (30 minutes each) 3 times per week for 8 weeks, and group 2 received an oral placebo during the first 3 days of menstruation and active TC-TNS sessions (30 minutes each) 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Clinical evaluations were conducted after 4 and 8 weeks. The main outcome was the reduction in menstrual pain, assessed with the visual analog scale.

RESULTS: Both groups experienced clinically significant relief of their pain, with no differences between the groups.

CONCLUSION: TC-TNS produces a reduction in primary dysmenorrhea in adolescents that is comparable to the effect achieved by mefenamic acid and could be considered as a therapeutic alternative, as it is free of adverse effects and self-applicable.