TENS Reduces Movement-Evoked Pain in People With CLBP

Vrije Universiteit Brussel25 enrolled

Overview

In this cross-over study 25 patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) were tested for pain relief in 2 conditions: while using the Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) application and without using it. Primary outcome: Movement-Evoked Pain (MEP). This was measured using the Back Performance Scale (BPS) and a 5-minute walk test (5MWT). Participants performed 5 functional tasks and were asked to rate their pain before, during, and after each movement on a numeric rating score scale. The same principle will be used for the 5MWT: for each walking-minute, 3 pain measurements will be assessed.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Chronic Low-back Pain

Interventions

HeatTens (HV-F311-E)DEVICE

(1) 2\~108 Hertz (modulation program inside); (2) 100 microseconds (pulse duration)

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 25 YearsMax age: 80 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * chronic nonspecific LBP for at least 3 months' duration: non-specific LBP implies that patients are not allowed to have any evidence of specific spinal pathology (e.g., hernia, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, infection, spinal fracture or malignancy). Exclusion Criteria: * spinal surgery in the past 6 months * severe underlying comorbidity (like diagnosed diabetes, cardiovascular problems, etc.), * pregnant or given birth in the preceding year, * having initiated a new LBP treatment in the 6 weeks prior to study participation

Locations (1)

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Brussels, Jette, Belgium

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Movement Evoked Pain

Pain that is experienced in response to 2 physical tasks: the Back Performance Scale and the 5 minutes walk test. Participants performed 5 physical tasks (= 1) grasping toes with fingertips in a sitting position; 2) forward bending from standing; 3) picking up paper from standing; 4) long-sitting from supine and 5) lifting a 5kg box from floor to table) and walked for 5 minutes. Participants provided a pain rating on a 11 points Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) with the endpoints no pain" (0) and "excruciating pain" (10). Pain will be assessed during the physical tasks (=at the same moment).

Time frame: Change in pain score between (1) Movement Evoked Pain measures assessed without TENS application and (2) Movement-Evoked Pain measured assessed while using TENS application. Between both measures, a wash out period of 30 minutes was introduced.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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