Effectiveness of diadynamic currents and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in disc disease lumbar part of spine

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ratajczak, Barbara^a | Hawrylak, Arletta^a | Demidaś, Aneta^a | Kuciel-Lewandowska, Jadwiga^b | Boerner, Ewa^{a; *}

Affiliations: [a] The Faculty of Physiotherapy, University School of Physical Education, Wrocław, Poland | [b] The Faculty of Physiotherapy, Medical University, Wrocław, Poland

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Ewa Boerner, Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego we Wrocławiu, Wydział Fizjoterapii, al. Paderewskiego 35, 51-612 Wrocław, Poland. Tel.: +48 71 347 90 30; Fax: +48 71 347 30 16; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Background:Back pain has multi-factorial etiology and is modified by environmental influences, character of work, and individual predispositions. Objective:The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of analgesic DD current therapy and TENS in low back discopathy. Material and methods:Eighty patients (age, 45–60 years) with diagnosed low back pain syndrome due to discopathy were subjected to therapy. In the first group (DD) of 40 people, DD current therapy was applied. In the second group (TENS) of 40 people, TENS was applied. The third group of 40 people was a control group in which a functional fitness test was performed for comparison purposes. The control group was in this case an equivalent to a norm. Before the beginning and on the completion of therapy in all patients, a pain level measurement and functional fitness test were performed. Results:On the basis of research conducted it was stated that both therapies reduce pain level effectively. Obtained analyzed results conclude that both therapies applied have an analgesic effect. Conclusions:DD current and TENS therapies in low back discopathy have an analgesic impact and improve functional fitness. The applied therapies have a comparable impact on researched parameters.

Keywords: Electrotherapy, pain, lumbar spine

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-2011-0289

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 155-159, 2011