TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRIC NERVE STIMULATION (TENS) IN TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENT WITH COMPLICATION OF PAINFUL DIABETIC NEUROPATHY (PDN)

Abstract

Complication that can occur in type II diabetes mellitus is painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN). The impact of untreated PDN is an increased risk of amputation. PDN is assessed by using a valid and reliable instrument of neuropathic pain, namely Douleur Neuropathique en 4 questions (DN4) questionnaire. One of nursing interventions for PDN is Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) which can help reduce pain and increase the ability to feel touch/light pressure of the lower extremities. This research aimed to analyze the nursing intervention of TENS in diabetic patients with symptoms of PDN. This research used experimental method applied to one patient with type II diabetes who has PDN symptom. TENS was applied for 5 days with the duration of 30 minutes for each day. The results showed decrease in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) from 5 to 2 (0-10) and an increased ability in feeling touch/light pressure to the lower extremities. Therefore TENS intervention is highly recommended to be applied in nursing care, especially for patients with type II diabetes mellitus.