Effectiveness of Electrotherapy Treatment in Chronic Low Back Pain

Hacettepe University61 enrolled

Overview

This study investigates the effectiveness of a specific electrotherapy treatment for individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain. The participants, who had low back pain for more than three months, were divided into two groups: a treatment group and a waitlist control group. The treatment group received electrotherapy using the StimaWELL 120MTRS system, which provided electrical stimulation and heat therapy to the entire spine over four weeks. The study assessed various outcomes, including pain levels, disability, and quality of life, before and after the intervention.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Chronic Low Back Pain

Interventions

The StimaWELL 120MTRS systemDEVICE

A standardized current (dynamic deep wave stimulation) was applied to all patients. Additionally, the mat, which reached a temperature of 40°C, provided heat therapy with electrical stimulation

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 18-65 years old, * LBP for more than three months, * Pain of 3 or more according to the Numeric Pain Scale * being literate Exclusion Criteria: * having a pacemaker, * body mass index greater than 30, * pathologies of the cervical or lumbar region, * cervical radiculopathy, thoracic outlet syndrome, malignant conditions, * systemic diseases, such as neurological, psychological, cardiovascular or rheumatologic conditions, loss of function due to these diseases, * history of surgery on the spine or upper extremities, * acute infection

Locations (1)

Hacettepe University

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Pain Catastrophizing Scale

Participants' pain catastrophizing levels were measured using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). The total score of the PCS is 52, with higher scores indicating higher levels of catastrophizing behavior.

Time frame: Before and after 4 weeks of treatment

Secondary Outcomes

Numeric Pain Scale

Pain intensity during activity, at rest and at night was assessed with the Numeric Pain Scale. It was graded with "0" representing "no pain" and "10" representing "the worst pain imaginable".

Time frame: Before and after 4 weeks of treatment

Oswestry Disability Index

Disability level was assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index. The scale consists of 10 items, each ranging from 0 to 5, with a total score of 100. Higher scores indicate higher levels of disability.

Time frame: Before and after 4 weeks of treatment

Nottingham Health Profile

The Nottingham Health Profile was used to assess participants' health-related quality of life. The first part of the NHP contains 38 items covering six domains: pain, physical activity, emotional reactions, energy, social isolation and sleep. Each domain is scored from 0 to 100 and the total score is the sum of these domain scores. Only the first part of the NHP was used for this study

Time frame: Before and after 4 weeks of treatment

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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