title: Effect of Fixed Versus Adjusted Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Amplitude on Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the effect of adjusting pulse amplitude of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation versus fixed pulse amplitude in treatment of chronic mechanical low back pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  El-sahel Teaching Hospital, Egypt.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five patients with chronic low back pain assigned to three equal groups. Their ages ranged from 20 to 50 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  The three groups received the same exercise program. Group A received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation with fixed pulse amplitude for 40 minutes. Group B received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation with adjusted pulse amplitude for 40 minutes, with the pulse amplitude adjusted every 5 minutes. Group C received exercises only. Treatment sessions were applied three times per week for 4 weeks for the three groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  A visual analogue scale was used to assess pain severity, the Oswestry Disability Index was used to assess functional level, and a dual inclinometer was used to measure lumbar range of motion. Evaluations were performed before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Visual analogue scale, Oswestry Disability Index, and back range of motion significantly differed between the two groups that received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and the control group and did not significantly differ between fixed and adjusted pulse amplitude of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adjusting pulse amplitude of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation does not produce a difference in the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation used to treat chronic low back pain.
authors.affiliation: 1 Physical Therapy Department, El-Sahel Teaching Hospital , Cairo, Egypt .
authors.forename: Noha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Elserty
authors.affiliation: 2 Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University , Cairo, Egypt .
authors.forename: Omaima
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kattabei
authors.affiliation: 2 Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University , Cairo, Egypt .
authors.forename: Hytham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Elhafez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D004534:Egypt; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult