Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Treatment of Renal Colic

Renal colic, an intensely painful condition, is a common presenting complaint to the emergency department. Parenteral opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen are commonly used to provide relief from renal colic. The aim of the present trial was to investigate the analgesic efficacy and safety of Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation treatment in patients with renal colic within the emergency department.

Study Design and Setting: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, single-center, clinical trial will be conducted in emergency department of a tertiary care university hospital.

Inclusion criteria

• Adult patients with renal colic admitted to emergency department.
• Adult patients who were definitively diagnosed with acute renal colic due to urinary system stones using unenhanced computed abdominopelvic tomography

Exclusion criteria

• Patients below 18 years of age
• Patients with haemodynamic instability, with fever (temperature=38°C [100.4°F]), with evidence of peritoneal inflammation,
• Patients using any analgesic within the previous 48 hours of emergency department presentation
• Patients who declined to participate