Lumbar Segmental Stabilization and TENS in Lumbar Disc Herniation

University of Sao Paulo General Hospital

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Lumbar Spine Disc Herniation

Treatments: Other: Lumbar stabilization exercises

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01640431

Fisio2011

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of method Lumbar Segmental Stabilization and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on pain, functional disability and ability to activate the transversus abdominis (TrA) of individuals with chronic back pain caused by disc herniation.

Full description

Objective: To contrast the efficacy efficacy of method Lumbar Segmental Stabilization and TENS on pain, functional capacity and ability to activate the TrA of individuals with chronic back pain caused by disc herniation.

Design: Sixty patients are being randomized into two groups namely: Lumbar Segmental Stabilization (LS ) (specific exercises for the muscles transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus) (n = 30) and TENS group (TG) (n = 30) receiving assistance under a current of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Groups were contrasted regarding pain (visual analogical scale and McGill pain questionnaire), functional disability (Oswestry disability questionnaire) and TrA muscle activation capacity (Pressure Biofeedback Unit = PBU). The program lasts for 8 weeks, and sessions happen twice a week, with duration of one hour each. Evaluations will be performed before, after and with a follow-up six months after treatment. Significance level is established at 5%.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 25 to 55 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• chronic low back pain (pain for more than three months) or sciatica caused by disc herniation diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography

Exclusion criteria

• prior back surgery,
• cancer,
• rheumatic diseases or infection.

Patients involved in sports or resistance training for the lumbar spine during the three months prior to the beginning of treatment or other causes of pain and sciatica such as lumbar spinal canal stenosis and lumbar spondylolisthesis have also been excluded.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

Lumbar stabilization exercises

Experimental group

Description:

In the Segmental Stabilization group exercises the focus is on the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus muscles.

Treatment:

Other: Lumbar stabilization exercises

TENS group

Experimental group

Description:

In this group, patients are treated with TENS in the lumbar region for an hour.

Treatment:

Other: Lumbar stabilization exercises