NCT04859842

Comparison of Two Electrotherapy Methods on Chronic Low Back Pain

Comparison of Effectiveness of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy and Interferential Current on Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 102 (actual)
• Sponsor: Abant Izzet Baysal University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is; to compare the effects of interferential current therapy (IF) applied in addition to conventional physical therapy on pain, functional status and quality of life compared to pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) in patients with chronic low back pain.

Detailed description

The low back is the most common region for musculoskeletal pain. Many factors play a role in the etiology of low back pain. A certain etiological factor or pathophysiological mechanism cannot be found in 85-90% of the patients. Approximately 80% of those living in industrialized countries experience low back pain in some part of their lives. 10% of low back pain becomes chronic. It is believed that 1% of workforce losses are due to low back pain. This type of pain often occurs when the back muscles, tendons and ligaments are exposed to stress or strain. Mechanical back pains are chronic pain that often affects the lower part of the spine and radiates to the gluteal region. Since daily activities such as leaning, turning, lifting, standing and sitting for a long time increase the pain, the intensity of the pain increases during the day. Interferential current (IF) therapy is obtained from two medium frequency currents and is applied by delivering a low frequency current (for example 20 to 100 Hz) to the tissue. Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy, which is among physical therapy methods, is frequently used in the treatment of knee, hip and spine osteoarthritis symptoms. It is thought that magnetic field therapy improves the oxygen utilization of the cells and the erythrocytes release more oxygen under the influence of the magnetic field, thus having a positive effect on the circulatory system

Conditions

• Low Back Pain, Mechanical

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Pulse Electromagnetic Field	Patients will be treated for two weeks, five days a week, one session a day, and 10 sessions with PEMF in prone position. Each session will be 45 minute long with a 15 minute PEMF therapy and a 30 minute conventional therapy program.
OTHER	Interferential Current	Patients will be treated for two weeks, five days a week, one session a day, and 10 sessions with Interferential current in prone position. Four interferential electrode will be placed on low back region. Each session will be 45 minute long with a 15 minute interferential current and a 30 minute conventional therapy program.
OTHER	Sham	Patients will be treated for two weeks, five days a week, one session a day, and 10 sessions with conventional therapy and sham electrotherapy. Sham application will be performed on prone position with four electrodes and electrodes will stay for 15 minutes on this region.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-04-21
• Primary completion: 2022-12-21
• Completion: 2022-12-30
• First posted: 2021-04-26
• Last updated: 2023-09-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)