title: [Comparison of the analgesic effect of interferential current (IFC) and TENS in patients with low back pain].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Electrotherapy, including theTENS and interferential current (IFC) is one of the most frequently used treatments in physical therapy in patients with low back pain. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of TENS and IFC on pain relief and to compare the analgesic efficacy of the two currents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients aged 53.5 ± 12.5, with low back pain, were randomly divided into two groups: IFC (gr. I) and TENS (gr. II). Depending on the groups, patients were given series of ten 20-minute sessions using either IF orTENS currents. In all patients VAS and Laitinen modified scale were taken before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 2-weeks therapy there was improvement in the VAS and Laitinen scale (all components) in both groups, except for the part of the Laitinen scale on the reduction of activity in the group II (TENS). There was no statistically significant difference between the TENS and IF groups in reducing the intensity and other aspects of pain (frequency, pain medication and activity limitation) under the influence of therapy (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interferential current and TENS therapy are effective for pain relief in patients with low back pain. The study showed equal analgesic efficacy of both treatments.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grabiańska
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leśniewicz
authors.forename: Ireneusz
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pieszyński
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kostka
mesh_terms: D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation; D020127:Recovery of Function; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; D016896:Treatment Outcome