NCT04243915

Percutaneous Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Effectiveness of Percutaneous Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Lumbar Multifidus in Combination With a Protocol of Motor Control Exercises in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 64 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Universidad Rey Juan Carlos · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Chronic low back pain is a common musculoskeletal condition affects the general population. Low back pain constitutes a major burden to health care system and society. Several authors have found that the deep abdominal muscles and multifidus are affected in low back pain. Dry needling has shown improve the cross-sectional area of the multifidus. Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation has shown reduce pain in several conditions. There are not studies that had investigated the impact of percutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (PNMES) in the deep muscles in patients with chronic low back pain. Hypothesis: PNMES in the multifidus muscle plus motor control exercise program in patients with chronic low back pain is better than sham PNMES plus exercise and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) plus exercise

Detailed description

Randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial, using percutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (PNMES). PNMES is technique to provide a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation current throughout needling filaments place close to the nerve. Study Aims: Aim #1: The primary aim of the study is to compare the effect of the short, medium and long-term of PNMES on muscle activation (increased cross-sectional area in activation) and the function of multifidus and abdominal transverse muscle in patients with chronic low back pain with random assignment to four treatments: PENS plus motor control exercise program or Sham PNMES (introducing the needle) plus motor control exercise program or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) plus motor control exercise program or Sham PNMES (without inserting the needle) plus motor control exercise program. Aim #2: The secondary aim of the study is to compare the effect of the short, medium and long-term of PNMES on pain as measured by visual analogue scale (VAS), chronic Pain Grade Questionnaire, pressure pain threshold (PPT), area and distribution of pain, conditioned pain modulation and temporal summation in patients with chronic low back pain with random assignment to four treatments: PNMES plus motor control exercise program or Sham PNMES (introducing the needle) plus motor control exercise program or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) plus motor control exercise program or Sham PNMES (without inserting the needle) plus motor control exercise program. Aim #3: To compare the effect of the short, medium and long-term of PNMES on disability as measured by Oswestry Disability Index, strength and quality of life with random assignment to four treatments: PENS plus motor control exercise program or Sham PNMES (introducing the needle) plus motor control exercise program or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) plus motor control exercise program or Sham PNMES (without inserting the needle) plus motor control exercise program. Aim #4: To estimate the immediate effects of the PNMES technique after the first session. Aim #5: To determine if psychological factors (anxiety, depression, kinesiophobia and catastrophism) change with any of the treatments and if is related with the primary and secondary outcomes. Aim #6: To evaluate the change perceived by the patient measured with Global Rating of Change Scale (GROC). Aim Aim #7: Validation of placebo groups by assessing patient blindness

Conditions

• Low Back Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Percutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (PNMES) plus motor control exercise program	The technique consists of a muscular stimulation of the deep lumbar multifidus by means of a TENS current applied through four dry needling or acupuncture needles introduced by ultrasound guidance in said muscle 30 minutes. This will add to a protocol of motor control exercises for deep abdominal and lumbar muscles.
OTHER	Sham PNMES (introducing the needle) plus motor control exercise program	The same procedure will be performed as in the experimental treatment, but in this case, the electric current will be placebo and only the first 15 seconds will slightly notice it. This will add to a protocol of motor control exercises for deep abdominal and lumbar muscles.
OTHER	TENS plus motor control exercise program	Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation will be applied through 4 patches / adhesives placed in your lower back for 30 minutes. This will add to a protocol of motor control exercises for deep abdominal and lumbar muscles.
OTHER	Sham PNMES (without inserting the needle) plus motor control exercise program	The same procedure will be performed as in the experimental treatment, but in this case, the needle will not be inserted and the electric current will be placebo and only the first 15 seconds will slightly notice it. This will add to a protocol of motor control exercises for deep abdominal and lumbar muscles.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-04-10
• Primary completion: 2024-06-10
• Completion: 2024-12-10
• First posted: 2020-01-28
• Last updated: 2023-05-15

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Spain