Diseño de un prototipo auxiliar terapéutico para el tratamiento del dolor en enfermedades músculo-esqueléticas

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders are health problems that degenerate bones, muscles, and tendons; they range from mild discomfort to irreversible and disabling injuries, they also have symptoms such as pain and decreased joint mobility. This article presents the design and implementation of a therapeutic auxiliary device that uses Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) as an auxiliary tool in the treatment of pain caused by skeletal muscle disorders. The electronic device is controlled by an Arduino Nano microcontroller that communicates wirelessly (Bluetooth) with a mobile device to set up the intensity of TENS therapy. For the development of the device, a block diagram, an electronic circuit schematic diagram, and a user interface for a mobile device were made. Moreover, a survey instrument was designed to assess the level of pain. As a result, the prototype functionality is demonstrated through the implementation and validation prototype in case studies of the rehabilitation module of the Municipal DIF of Tantoyuca, Veracruz, Mexico.