Efficacy of Electrical Dry Needling in Pain, Sensitivity, Functionality and Quality of Life of Patients With Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain

Universidad de Almeria

Status: Completed

Conditions: Chronic Low-back Pain

Treatments: Other: Ischemic compression, analytical stretching and postural habits educational dossier; Other: Electrical dry needling

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04804228

EFM 87/2020

Details and patient eligibility

About

The main objective of this study is to determine the efficacy of electrical dry needling versus ischemic compression, analytical stretching and postural habits educational dossier in active myofascial trigger points in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.

Full description

A double-blind clinical trial will be developed in a sample of 80 subjects with chronic low back pain. Patients in the experimental group will receive electrical dry needling at the active myofascial trigger points (PGM) of the quadratus lumbar, multifidus, and iliocostal muscles (following the PGM maps described by Travell and Simons). The technique will be performed using needle electrodes, the generated current will be produced by a TENS device with a frequency of 2 Hz and a pulse width of 250 μs, during 30 min of application. The therapeutic intervention will be 1 weekly session for a total of 6 weeks.

The control group will perform an ischemic compression technique in active PGM with a time between 20 seconds and 1 minute until pain inhibition is achieved, and finally, analytical stretching will be carried out on the quadratus lumbar, multifidus and iliocostal muscles. The treatment will consist of 1 weekly session for 6 weeks, in addition they will be provided with a training dossier on postural education in their activities of daily life.

A baseline assessment of the primary and secondary outcome measures will be carried out before randomization of the participants to the different groups, an immediate post-treatment assessment (1 day after the last intervention) and an assessment two month after the end of the intervention ( short-term follow-up).

The objectives of this study are to compare the repercussions of dry electropuncture versus ischemic compression in active PGM plus stretching in terms of pain, functionality, mobility of the spine, and quality of life in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain; and analyze the impact on active myofascial trigger points in terms of pressure tolerance threshold.

Enrollment: 80 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 30 to 67 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Low back pain ≥ 3 months.
• Age between 30 and 67 years old.
• Not being receiving physical therapy.

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of lumbar stenosis.
• Diagnosis of spondylolisthesis.
• Diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
• Treatment with corticosteroids or oral medication in recent weeks.
• History of spine surgery.
• Contraindication of analgesic electrical therapy.
• Have previously received a treatment of electrical analgesia or exercise.
• Central or peripheral nervous system disease.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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80 participants in 2 patient groups

Electrical dry needling

Experimental group

Description:

The experimental group consisting of 40 subjects will perform electrostimulation on the active myofascial trigger points of the following muscles: quadratus lumbar, multifidus and iliocostalis, following the PGM maps described by Travell and Simons. The electrostimulation of the PGM will be carried out using needle electrodes, the generated current will be produced by a TENS device with a frequency of 2 Hz and a pulse width of 250 μs, the application will be approximately 30 min. The therapeutic intervention will be 1 session per week for a total of 6 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Ischemic compression, analytical stretching and postural habits educational dossier

Ischemic compression, analytical stretching and postural habits educational dossier

Active Comparator group

Description:

The control group consisting of 40 subjects will undergo an ischemic compression technique in active PGM with a time between 20 seconds and 1 minute until pain inhibition is achieved, and finally, analytical stretching will be carried out on the quadratus lumbar, multifid and iliocostal, 1 weekly session for 6 weeks providing a training dossier of postural education in their activities of daily life.

Treatment:

Other: Electrical dry needling