Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Pruritus in Lichen Planus Patient

Background: Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory and immune mediated disease that is usually intensely pruritic, and this symptom does not subside after common antipruritic treatment. Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on lichen planus patient. Patients and methods: Thirty patients who had lichen planus with age ranged from 20-40 years were selected randomly from El-Saff Hospital, only who agreed to be volunteers participated in the study and were randomized into two groups of equal number, 15 patient for each group. Group (A) received medical medication and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): frequency 100 Hz, with the duration of each session being 1 h, administered on 3 days/week for 4 weeks and intensity of TENS was according to patient tolerance and Group (B) who only received the same medical medication only. Results: Compared to result before and after TENS treatment, our study showed that there was significant decrease in the results of visual analogue scale (VAS) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI); but the result of group (A) were superior to that of group (B) when comparing the groups’ results together. Conclusion: TENS was beneficial and had a good effect on pruritus in lichen planus patients.