Comparison of Two Electrotherapy Methods on Chronic Low Back Pain

Abant Izzet Baysal University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Low Back Pain, Mechanical

Treatments: Other: Pulse Electromagnetic Field; Other: Sham; Other: Interferential Current

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04859842

AIBU-FTR-RK-06

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is; to compare the effects of interferential current therapy (IF) applied in addition to conventional physical therapy on pain, functional status and quality of life compared to pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) in patients with chronic low back pain.

Full description

The low back is the most common region for musculoskeletal pain. Many factors play a role in the etiology of low back pain. A certain etiological factor or pathophysiological mechanism cannot be found in 85-90% of the patients.

Approximately 80% of those living in industrialized countries experience low back pain in some part of their lives. 10% of low back pain becomes chronic. It is believed that 1% of workforce losses are due to low back pain. This type of pain often occurs when the back muscles, tendons and ligaments are exposed to stress or strain. Mechanical back pains are chronic pain that often affects the lower part of the spine and radiates to the gluteal region. Since daily activities such as leaning, turning, lifting, standing and sitting for a long time increase the pain, the intensity of the pain increases during the day.

Interferential current (IF) therapy is obtained from two medium frequency currents and is applied by delivering a low frequency current (for example 20 to 100 Hz) to the tissue.

Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy, which is among physical therapy methods, is frequently used in the treatment of knee, hip and spine osteoarthritis symptoms. It is thought that magnetic field therapy improves the oxygen utilization of the cells and the erythrocytes release more oxygen under the influence of the magnetic field, thus having a positive effect on the circulatory system

Enrollment: 102 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Being diagnosed with nonspecific low back pain
• Symptom onset with more than 3 months

Exclusion criteria

• History of surgery on low back region
• Structural deformity on the low back region
• Radiculopathy
• Tumor or malignancy
• Any skin condition that prevents usage of electrotherapy
• Having a pace maker or other types of implants on the low back, pelvis and thoracic region

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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102 participants in 3 patient groups

Pulse Electromagnetic Field Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) will be applied to patients' low back region. Also, patients will receive a conventional therapy program consisting of hotpack, ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical stimulation in addition to PEMF therapy.

Treatment:

Other: Pulse Electromagnetic Field

Interferential Current Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Interferential current will be applied to patients' low back pain region. Also, patients will receive a conventional therapy program consisting of hotpack, ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical stimulation in addition to Interferential current.

Treatment:

Other: Interferential Current

Sham Group

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Sham electrodes will be placed on the low back region. Also, patients will receive a conventional therapy program consisting of hotpack, ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical stimulation in addition to sham therapy.

Treatment:

Other: Sham