Non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCBP) is considered the leading cause of impairment of normal, symptom-free life (disability-adjusted life years - DALYs). NSCBP force more people out of work than diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, respiratory disease, asthma and cancer together. Strength and stability-oriented training programs in particular can lead to a significant improvement in NSCBP. However, back pain patients often cite time limitations and kinesiophobia (fear of movements) as the main reasons for their physical inactivity . The time-effective, joint-friendly and highly customizable whole-body electromyostimulation technology (WB-EMS) has been shown to be an effective alternative to conventional back training in two recently published clinical studies Following the successful implementation of this concept, dissemination of the positive results and testing of suitable settings for its implementation, the next step is to adapt and implement the concept as part of a knowledge transfer project in outpatient rehabilitation settings. The present project thus aimed to compare the effect of WB-EMS versus medical therapeutic therapy (MTT) using dedicated resistances devices as a recognized safe and effective treatment for low back pain.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
26
10 weeks of WB-EMS 1.5x 20 min/week
10 weeks of MTT 2x 45 min/week
Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Nürnberg
Erlangen, Germany
Changes of non-specific low back pain from baseline to 10 week follow-up assessment as determined by the numeric rating scale 0-10
Numeric rating scale 1-10: Zero is equivalent to no pain and 10 indicates the worst possible pain."
Time frame: From enrollment (baseline assessment) to the end of treatment at 10 weeks"
Changes of disability from baseline to 10 week follow-up assessment as determine by the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ)
RMDQ: 24-item Score that scored physical ability and activities of daily living (yes vs. no). The higher the score, the worse the patient's back-related functional status.
Time frame: From enrollment (baseline) to the end of treatment at 10 weeks"
Changes of back extension strength from baseline to 10 week follow-up assessment as determined by the Dr. Wolf back-check device
Dr. Wolf back-check: Isometric test device for trunk strength
Time frame: "From enrollment (baseline assessment) to the end of treatment at 10 weeks"
Changes of trunk flexion strength from baseline to 10 week follow-up assessment as determined by the Dr. Wolf back-check device
Dr. Wolf Back check: Isometric test device for trunk strength
Time frame: From enrollment (baseline assessment) to the end of treatment at 10 weeks"
Changes of lean body mass from baseline to 10 week assessment as determined by bio impedance assessment (BIA)
BIA: Assessment of lean body mass by direct-segmental multi-frequency bioimpedance analysis using InBody 770 (Seoul, Korea)
Time frame: From enrollment (baseline assessment) to the end of treatment at 10 weeks
Changes of body fat from baseline to 10 week follow-up assessment as determine by bio impedance analysis
BIA: Assessment of lean body mass by direct-segmental multi-frequency bio impedance analysis using InBody 770 (Seoul, Korea)
Time frame: From enrollment (baseline assessment) to the end of treatment at 10 weeks
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