Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (tens) on unstimulated salivary flow in oral cancer patients

Title : Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (tens) on unstimulated salivary flow in oral cancer patients

Abstract:

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) for oral cancer often leads to xerostomia due to salivary gland damage. This impacts speech, taste, and oral health. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive method that may stimulate salivation.
Aim: To determine the efficacy of TENS in improving unstimulated salivary flow among oral cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.
Materials and Methods: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 oral cancer patients undergoing RT. Participants were randomly assigned to Group A (TENS therapy) or Group B (conventional physiotherapy). Unstimulated saliva was collected using the Navazesh method at four time points: before RT, during RT, 2 weeks after RT, and 4 weeks after RT. Data were analyzed using t-tests, repeated measures ANOVA, and regression analysis.
Results: Before and during RT, no significant differences in salivary flow were observed between groups (p > 0.05). However, Group A showed significantly higher salivary flow at 2 weeks (p = 0.005) and 4 weeks post-RT (p < 0.001) compared to Group B. The intervention had a significant effect over time (p < 0.01). Conclusion: TENS therapy showed a positive impact on post-RT salivary gland recovery, making it a safe and effective non-pharmacological treatment for radiation-induced xerostomia.

Biography:

Dr. Vandana Singh, Addtional Professor,Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology at Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, India is an eminent Oral Physician with over 13 years of clinical, research, and academic experience. She completed her BDS from KGMU in 2005 and MDS in Oral Medicine and Radiology from Mahatma Gandhi Postgraduate Institute, Puducherry, in 2011. Her key areas of interest include early detection of oral cancer, premalignant disorders, and saliva diagnostics. She is nominated as a Rural Oral Cancer Training and Screening Expert under NRHM, India, and holds lifetime membership in various national and international professional bodies, including IAOMR, the European Academy of Oral Medicine, and the Indian Dental Association. She has authored book chapters and published 25 research papers in reputed journals. She is actively involved in intramural and extramural research projects and has been invited as an international guest speaker at several conferences.