The analgesic action of Aussie current in women with non-specific chronic lumbar pain

Abstract

Background/aimsDespite electrostimulation being a common adjuvant therapy for non-specific low back pain, the use of Aussie current for muscle contraction is still underreported in the literature. The present study aimed to assess the use of Aussie current in the treatment of chronic, non-specific lumbar pain.MethodsTwenty-four young women with chronic non-specific low back pain were randomly assigned to the Aussie current group or control group. Pain (visual analogue scale and McGill Pain Questionnaire), function (Oswestry Disability Index), trunk muscle resistance (the time the participant remained in a predefined static position) and multifidus muscle thickness (ultrasound images) were analysed bilaterally before, at the end of and 30 days after completing the treatment protocol. The treatment group received 12 sessions of Aussie current over a period of 4 weeks. The electrodes were arranged laterally and bilaterally to the spinous processes of the first and fifth lumbar vertebrae.ResultsThere was a reduction in the pain profile for the Aussie group, as measured by a visual analogue scale and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. There was an increase in trunk muscle resistance and in muscle thickness in the Aussie group when compared to the control group. There were no changes in the Oswestry Disability Index in either group.ConclusionsAussie current resulted in significant improvements in pain, endurance and muscle thickness in women with chronic, non-specific low back pain.