Immediate analgesic effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential current (IFC) on chronic low back pain: Randomised placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare the immediate analgesic effect of transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential current (IFC), with different combinations of parameters, in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methodology280 individuals with CLBP were included in the study, both genders, randomized in 8 groups: GI2KHz/100Hz, GI2KHz/2Hz, GI4KHz/100Hz, GI4KHz/2Hz, placebo interferential group (GIP), GT100Hz, GT2Hz, and placebo TENS group (GTP). All individuals underwent a single application of TENS or IFC for 30min. The assessments were carried out prior to the intervention, as well as immediately after, with the following outcomes: pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale-NPRS), qualitative pain characteristics (McGill Pain Questionnaire-MPQ), and pressure pain threshold (PPT) by pressure algometry (PA) in 4 points of the low back region. ResultsIn the intergroup comparison of NPRS, all intervention groups showed greater pain reduction compared to GTP (p < 0.05). In the total MPQ score, the groups that obtained significant results (p < 0.05) when compared to GTP were GT100Hz and GT2Hz, while the groups GT100Hz and GI4KHz/100Hz were significant when compared to GIP. In the PA, GI4KHz/100Hz showed an increase in the PPT in all points compared to GTP and GI2KHz/100Hz. ConclusionBoth TENS and IFC presented immediate analgesic effect in CLBP, with emphasis on the interferential current of 4 KHz modulated at 100Hz.