Efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and percutaneous neuromodulation therapy in chronic low back pain

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Topuz, Oya^{; *} | Özfidan, Erhan | Ozgen, Merih | Ardic, Füsun

Affiliations: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey

Correspondence: [*] Adress for correspondence: Oya Topuz, Çamkent sitesi, No: 49 Çamlik, Denizli, Turkey. Tel.: +90 258 2110254; Fax: +90 258 2118129; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: The study was designed to compare the efficacy of two different modalities of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (conventional and low-frequency TENS) (C-TENS and Low-TENS) and percutaneous neuromodulation therapy (PNT) in the treatment of chronic low back pain. Sixty patients with chronic low back pain were randomly divided into four groups as placebo-TENS, C-TENS, Low-TENS, and PNT. Therapeutic modalities were administered for 2 weeks. The pre-treatment and post-treatment assessments were done by using the Visual Analog Scale for pain; Low Back Pain Outcome Scale and Oswestry Disability Index for functional disability; and Health Status Survey Short Form (SF-36) for quality of life. In placebo-TENS group only emotional role limitation score of SF-36 significantly decreased after the treatment. All measurements except emotional role limitation score of SF-36 significantly improved in C-TENS group after the treatment. In both of Low-TENS and PNT groups, all parameters were significantly improved by the treatment. TENS modalities and PNT were significantly more effective than the placebo-TENS. No significant difference was found between C-TENS and Low-TENS. PNT was significantly more effective than TENS in providing relief of activity pain and in improving general health, vitality and emotional role limitation scores of health quality.

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-2004-173-407

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 17, no. 3-4, pp. 127-133, 2004