Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective To compare and assess the immediate analgesic effects of conventional and burst transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in patients with chronic low back pain.Methods We conducted a three-arm single-blinded randomized controlled trial. A total of 105 patients with non-specific chronic low back pain aged between 18 and 85 years were randomly assigned into the following groups: Placebo Group (sham electrical stimulation), Conventional TENS Group (continuous stimulation at 100Hz for 100µs with sensory intensity), and Burst TENS Group (stimulation at 100Hz modulated at 2Hz for 100µs with motor-level intensity). All groups received a single application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for 30 minutes. The outcomes, namely, pain intensity, quality of pain, and pressure pain threshold were measured by the visual analog scale, McGill pain questionnaire, and algometry, respectively. The patients were evaluated before and immediately after the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation application.Results Pain intensity (visual analog scale score) and quality of pain (McGill pain questionnaire score) significantly decreased (p<0.05) in Intervention Groups (Conventional TENS Group and Burst TENS Group). A positive effect was observed in the interventions compared to the Placebo Group in all domains of the McGill pain questionnaire (p<0.05), excepting for the pain intensity. Pressure pain threshold significantly increased (p<0.05) immediately after the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation application in both Intervention Groups, but not in the Placebo Group. For significant difference was found during assessment when comparing both Intervetion Group.Conclusion Both transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation modes were effective for pain modulation. Moreover, there was an increase in the pressure pain threshold. No significant results were found to indicate the best mode for the treatment of chronic low back pain.Clinical Trial Registration: RBR-59YGRB.
Highlights
The orthopaedic section of the American Physical Therapy Association defined chronic low back pain (CLBP) as generalized low back pain, which lasts longer than 3 consecutive months.[1]. The notion of nonspecific CLBP is often used to describe this condition because the mechanism of pain is poorly understood
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is relatively safe, non-invasive, easy to apply,(5) and it provides pain relief during exercise.[2]. Different transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) modalities differing in frequency, amplitude, pulse duration, and waveform can be used in clinical practice, such as the conventional or burst modes
This study aimed to assess the immediate analgesic effects of Conventional and Burst TENS modes in patients with CLBP, which is assessed by using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ), and pressure algometry
Summary
The orthopaedic section of the American Physical Therapy Association defined chronic low back pain (CLBP) as generalized low back pain, which lasts longer than 3 consecutive months.[1]. The clinical practice guidelines[2] define CLBP as the absence of red flag symptoms for more serious causes of pain with multifactorial pathogenesis. Low back pain overloads all health services and various interventions have been established to treat this such as medication, surgery, patient education, behavioral therapy, and physiotherapy.[2] Among the possible physical therapy treatments, electrophysical agents as the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are widely used for the management of CLBP as a complement to other therapeutic interventions, for exercising. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is relatively safe, non-invasive, easy to apply,(5) and it provides pain relief during exercise.[2] Different TENS modalities differing in frequency, amplitude, pulse duration, and waveform can be used in clinical practice, such as the conventional or burst modes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
