Periprostatic Block Alone is not Superior to Music Therapy and TENS for Pain and Anxiety During Transrectal Prostate Biopsy: A Single-center Prospective Randomized Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and music therapy on pain and anxiety in male patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSPB). Materials and Methods: Between March 2022 and March 2023, TRUSPB was applied prospectively to 150 eligible patients who were randomly divided into five equal groups at the Urology Department of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Turkiye. In group L, the procedure was performed with periprostatic block (PB) only. In group LT, the procedure was performed with PB+TENS; in group LM, the procedure was performed with PB+music; in group M, the procedure was performed with music only; and in group T, the procedure was performed with TENS only. The anxiety and pain levels were compared between the groups using objective and subjective parameters. Results: Pain scores at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the TRUSPB procedure did not reach a statistical differences (p=0.05, p=0.363, p=0.329, respectively). The procedure-related anxiety score differences among the groups were the same (p=0.058). The procedure time was highest in group LT and lowest in group M (p=0.000). Conclusion: The effects of music and TENS on pain and anxiety scores during TRUSPB were similar to those of PB. Performing the procedure with music is preferable because it shortens the procedure time and requires fewer needle insertions without increasing the complication rate.

Keywords

• transrectal
• prostate biopsy
• transcutaneous electrical stimulation
• pain
• music therapy