TECAR Therapy in Chronic Back Pain

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether adding high-intensity electromyostimulation (Hi-EMS) to capacitive and resistive electric transfer (TECAR) therapy improves pain and functional performance in adults with chronic nonspecific low back pain. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does adding Hi-EMS to TECAR therapy reduce low back pain at rest? * Does adding Hi-EMS reduce pain during the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test? * Does adding Hi-EMS improve pressure pain threshold and performance on the - Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test? Researchers will compare TECAR therapy delivered with Hi-EMS to TECAR therapy delivered without Hi-EMS. Participants will: * Receive both treatment conditions in a randomized order * Wait one week between treatment sessions * Receive 10 minutes of capacitive electrical transfer followed by 10 minutes of resistive electrical transfer during each session * Receive Hi-EMS during the 10-minute resistive electrical transfer phase in one of the sessions * Complete pain, pressure pain threshold, and functional performance assessments immediately before and after each session

Capacitive and resistive electric transfer (TECAR) therapy is a radiofrequency-based electrothermal modality designed to generate endogenous tissue heating. Preliminary evidence suggests that TECAR therapy may provide short-term improvements in pain and disability in individuals with low back pain. Some TECAR devices also incorporate a manufacturer-specific electrical stimulation function known as high-intensity electromyostimulation (Hi-EMS). However, the additional effects of combining Hi-EMS with TECAR therapy have not been established. This randomized, assessor-blinded crossover trial will investigate whether adding Hi-EMS to TECAR therapy produces greater immediate improvements in pain and functional performance than TECAR therapy alone in individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Each participant will receive both treatment conditions in a randomized order, allowing participants to serve as their own controls. The treatment sessions will be separated by a one-week washout period. The study will evaluate immediate within-session responses and compare the magnitude of change between the two treatment conditions. The findings will help determine whether the concurrent use of Hi-EMS provides additional short-term benefits beyond those produced by TECAR therapy alone.