title: Effect of TENS on pain relief in patients with degenerative disc disease in lumbosacral spine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The study sought to evaluate the impact of long-term TENS therapy on pain relief in patients with degenerative disc disease in the lumbosacral spine.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved 39 patients with lumbosacral pain who were receiving treatment in the Regional Hospital No 2 in Rzeszów and in Winsen Hospital. The experimental group consisted of 16 patients who were fitted with L-S orthoses with a built-in OmniTens plus mini-device for long-term application (3 times a day, for 20 minutes) of TENS currents with a frequency of 35 Hz and impulse duration of 150µsec. The control group consisted of 23 patients who received conventional TENS therapy once a day for 20 minutes, with a frequency of 35 Hz and impulse duration of 150 µsec. The results were assessed with the Oswestry Questionnaire, a visual analogue scale (VAS), as well as Schober's Test. Tests were performed before and on completion of the therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All participants reported pain relief and improved spinal function and mobility. Statistically significant differences were obtained in the group of patients treated with low frequency pulsed TENS currents administered via the orthosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  1. TENS therapy contributed to pain relief and improvement of function and mobility of the lumbosacral spine 2. Representing an appropriate and effective technique, TENS stimulation via an orthosis should be more commonly prescribed.
authors.affiliation: Instytut Fizjoterapii Uniwersytetu Rzeszowskiego, Kliniczny Oddział Rehabilitacji Szpitala Wojewódzkiego nr 2 w Rzeszowie. popter@interia.pl
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pop
authors.forename: Heiner
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Austrup
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Preuss
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Niedziałek
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaniewska
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sobolewski
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dobrowolski
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zwolińska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000628:therapy*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011044:Poland; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods*