Nudging to Promote the Use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Postoperative Pain Relief

NCT06696430 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2024-06961-01
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 500
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 5

Brief Summary

This study aims to increase the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for acute postoperative pain relief. TENS, a non-pharmacological treatment using electrical impulses, can enhance pain relief, reduce opioid use, and minimize side effects. Despite its benefits, TENS is underused in healthcare. This project will provide TENS education, support from experienced "superusers," and nudging techniques to encourage staff to adopt TENS, ultimately improving pain management and recovery for postoperative patients.

Conditions

Acute Postoperative Pain in Urological Surgery; Pain Management in Postoperative Care (Including Opioid-Sparing Approaches)

Keywords

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS); Nudging; Multimodal Analgesia; Postoperative Pain Management

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Frequency of TENS Usage in Postoperative Care

  Measure the frequency and consistency of TENS usage by healthcare staff for postoperative pain management across the three groups (Control, Education, and Nudging). This outcome will determine the effectiveness of educational and nudging interventions in changing TENS adoption patterns. Scores represent the number of documented TENS applications per patient.

  12 weeks (over the course of the intervention phases)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Postoperative Pain Intensity

  1 day post-surgery, measured during patient recovery

• Change in Opioid Consumption for Postoperative Pain

  12 weeks (monitored throughout the study duration)

• Change in Postoperative Discharge Time

  Measured at discharge, within the first 12 weeks post-intervention

Other Outcomes (2)

• Healthcare Staff Perceptions of Educational and Nudging Interventions

  Collected after the final intervention phase (approximately 3 weeks)

• Patient Experiences of TENS for Postoperative Pain Management

  Collected within 1-2 days post-discharge

Study Arms (3)

Control Group (Baseline)

This group includes healthcare staff and patients prior to the intervention. Baseline data will be collected on TENS usage rates, pain levels, and opioid consumption to assess initial practices in postoperative pain management.

Intervention Group X1 (Education + superusers)

Healthcare staff and patients following an educational intervention. This phase includes sessions on TENS usage and support from designated "superusers" to increase knowledge and skills related to TENS for postoperative pain management.

Behavioral: Educational Intervention on TENS Usage

Intervention Group X2 (Nudging)

Healthcare staff exposed to nudging strategies designed to enhance the use of TENS, which is currently available in routine care but underutilized. This phase involves visual prompts, reminders, and environmental cues aimed at making TENS more salient and encouraging its use for postoperative pain management.

Behavioral: Nudging Intervention to Promote TENS Usage

Interventions

Educational Intervention on TENS Usage BEHAVIORAL

Educational sessions on TENS usage and support from designated "superusers" to increase knowledge and skills related to TENS for postoperative pain management.

Intervention Group X1 (Education + superusers)

Nudging Intervention to Promote TENS Usage BEHAVIORAL

Healthcare staff exposed to nudging strategies designed to enhance the use of TENS, which involves visual prompts, reminders, and environmental cues aimed at making TENS more salient and encouraging its use for postoperative pain management.

Intervention Group X2 (Nudging)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population includes healthcare staff working in the department where the study is conducted and patients who are scheduled for urological procedures under anesthesia and are 18 years or older. The focus is on observing and enhancing TENS usage in postoperative pain management within this specific clinical setting.

You may qualify if:

• All staff working in the department where the study will be conducted.
• Patients scheduled for urological procedures under anesthesia who are 18 years of age or older.

You may not qualify if:

• Does not give consent.
• Ongoing pregnancy.
• Unable to speak or understand Swedish.
• Presence of electronic implants (e.g., pacemaker, implantable - defibrillator/ICD).
• Regular preoperative use of opioids.
• Chronic pain condition.
• Known substance abuse.
• Reduced sensation at the site for TENS application.
• Severe untreated psychiatric disorder.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Pether Jildenstal: lead
• Sahlgrenska University Hospital: collaborator

Study Sites (5)

Sahlgrenska university hospital

Gothenburg, VGR, 43100, Sweden

RECRUITING

Sahlgrenska university hospital

Gothenburg, VGR, 43100, Sweden

RECRUITING

Sahlgrenska university hospital

Gotborg, Sweden

RECRUITING

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Gothenburg, Sweden

RECRUITING

Sahlgrenska university hospital

Gothenburg, Sweden

RECRUITING

Central Study Contacts

Pether Jildenstal, PhD, Professor

CONTACT

0046313421000; pether.jildenstal@vgregion.se

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor, PhD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 13, 2024
• First Posted: November 20, 2024
• Study Start: December 10, 2024
• Primary Completion: April 14, 2025
• Study Completion: October 1, 2025
• Last Updated: August 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Locations

SE (5)