title: Efficacy of Selected Electrical Therapies on Chronic Low Back Pain: A Comparative Clinical Pilot Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND In the currently available research publications on electrical therapy of low back pain, generally no control groups or detailed randomization were used, and such studies were often conducted with relatively small groups of patients, based solely on subjective questionnaires and pain assessment scales (lacking measurement methods to objectify the therapeutic progress). The available literature also lacks a comprehensive and large-scale clinical study. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of treating low back pain using selected electrotherapy methods. The study assesses the influence of individual electrotherapeutic treatments on reduction of pain, improvement of the range of movement in lower section of the spine, and improvement of motor functions and mobility. MATERIAL AND METHODS The 127 patients qualified for the therapy (ultimately, 123 patients completed the study) and assigned to 6 comparison groups: A - conventional TENS, B - acupuncture-like TENS, C - high-voltage electrical stimulation, D - interferential current stimulation, E - diadynamic current, and F - control group. RESULTS The research showed that using electrical stimulation with interferential current penetrating deeper into the tissues results in a significant and more efficient elimination of pain, and an improvement of functional ability of patients suffering from low back pain on the basis of an analysis of both subjective and objective parameters. The TENS currents and high voltage were helpful, but not as effective. The use of diadynamic currents appears to be useless. CONCLUSIONS Selected electrical therapies (interferential current, TENS, and high voltage) appear to be effective in treating chronic low back pain.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiotherapy, Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole, Opole, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rajfur
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiotherapy, Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole, Opole, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pasternok
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiotherapy, Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole, Opole, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rajfur
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiotherapy, Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole, Opole, Poland.
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Walewicz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiotherapy, Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole, Opole, Poland.
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fras
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Training, Academy School of Physical Education in Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Bartosz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bolach
authors.affiliation: Department of Nervous System Diseases, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dymarek
authors.affiliation: Department of Nervous System Diseases, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosinczuk
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiotherapy, Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole, Opole, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Halski
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy Basics, Academy School of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Jakub
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taradaj
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004560:Electricity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome