title: Trunk Muscle Training Augmented With Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Appears to Improve Function in Older Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Preliminary Trial.
abstract: To assess the feasibility of a trial to evaluate a trunk muscle training program augmented with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (TMT+NMES) for the rehabilitation of older adults with chronic low back pain (LBP) and to preliminarily investigate whether TMT+NMES could improve physical function and pain compared with a passive control intervention.
  
  
  
  We conducted a single-blind, randomized feasibility trial. Patients aged 60 to 85 years were allocated to TMT+NMES (n=31) or a passive control intervention (n=33), consisting of passive treatments, that is, heat, ultrasound, and massage. Outcomes assessed 3- and 6-month postrandomization included Timed Up and Go Test, gait speed, pain, and LBP-related functional limitation.
  
  
  
  Feasibility was established by acceptable adherence (≥80%) and attrition (<20%) rates for both interventions. Both groups had similar, clinically important reductions in pain of >2 points on a numeric pain rating scale during the course of the trial. But, only the TMT+NMES group had clinically important improvements in both performance-based and self-reported measures of function. In terms of the participants' global rating of functional improvement at 6 months, the TMT+NMES group improved by 73.9% and the passive control group improved by 56.7% compared with baseline. The between-group difference was 17.2% (95% confidence interval, 5.87-28.60) in favor of TMT+NMES.
  
  
  
  It seems that a larger randomized trial investigating the efficacy of TMT+NMES for the purpose of improving physical function in older adults with chronic LBP is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
authors.forename: Gregory E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Hicks
authors.forename: Jaclyn M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sions
authors.forename: Teonette O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Velasco
authors.forename: Tara J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Manal
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001416:Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D000074286:Preliminary Data; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D060726:Torso / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy