use of electrotherapy in children

[markfarrugia]

Hi,
I am currently working in paediatrics. Does anyone have any information regarding the use of electrotherapy in our younger clients. Thanks
Mark

[sven]

HI, I just saw this in Pedro, physiobase has a direct link to it. Hope it will help you out a bit.
Author: Sander J, Fowler-Kerry S
Title: TENS for children's procedural pain. Source: Pain 1993 Feb;52(2):209-16
Method: clinical trial
A 3 x 6 factorial design with a double blind and placebo control was employed to investigate the effect of TENS treatment on pain produced by venipuncture. The three treatment groups consisted of TENS, placebo-TENS and control. Subjects were blocked into six 2-year age groups (ages: 5-17 years). During the period of the study, 896 children attending the outpatient laboratory of a general hospital were screened and 514 children completed the study. The data which were collected before venipuncture included expected pain and state anxiety. Following venipuncture, pain intensity was measured with a vertical visual analogue scale (VAS) and pain affect was assessed with McGrath's faces scale. Significant main effects for treatment and age groups were obtained. Pain intensity and affect were lowest for the TENS group and highest for the control group. The pain scores were greatest for lower age groups and lowest for higher age groups. The results of this study support the use of TENS for children's pain and the need for interventions for children's procedural pain.

2) Author: Marshall DF, Boston VE

Title: Altered bladder and bowel function following cutaneous electrical field stimulation in children with spina bifida - interim results of a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
Source: European Journal of Pediatric Surgery 1997 Dec;7 Suppl 1:41-3
Method: clinical trial
Sven

[lodonnell]

You shouldn't use ultrasound over growth plates if the child is still growing. Otherwise as far as I am aware there are no other contra-indications against the use of other electrotherapy agents in children.