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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2011;129(4):206-16.
doi: 10.1590/s1516-31802011000400003.

Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential currents (IFC) in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain: randomized clinical trial

Ligia Maria Facci  1 , Jean Paulus Nowotny, Fabio Tormem, Virgínia Fernandes Moça Trevisani
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential currents (IFC) in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain: randomized clinical trial

Ligia Maria Facci et al. Sao Paulo Med J. 2011.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Context and objective: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential current are the most used electrotherapy methods, although there is little scientific evidence to support their use. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of TENS and interferential current among patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain.

Design and setting: Single-blind randomized controlled trial in the Department of Physiotherapy, Centro Universitário de Maringá.

Methods: One hundred and fifty patients were randomly divided into three groups: TENS (group 1), interferential current (group 2) and controls (group 3). The patients designated for electrotherapy received ten 30-minute sessions, while the control group remained untreated. All patients and controls were evaluated before and after treatment using a visual analog scale and the McGill Pain and Roland Morris questionnaires, and regarding their use of additional medications.

Results: There was a mean reduction on the visual analog scale of 39.18 mm with TENS, 44.86 mm with interferential current and 8.53 mm among the controls. In the Roland Morris questionnaire, group 1 had a mean reduction of 6.59; group 2, 7.20; and group 3, 0.70 points. In group 1, 84% of the patients stopped using medications after the treatment; in group 2, 75%; and in group 3, 34%. There was no statistically significant difference between the TENS and interferential current groups (P > 0.05); a difference was only found between these groups and the controls (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: There was no difference between TENS and interferential current for chronic low back pain treatment.

Clinical trial registration: NCT01017913.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO:: Estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea (TENS) e corrente interferencial são os métodos de eletroterapia mais utilizados, embora haja poucas evidências científicas que suportem seu uso. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os efeitos da TENS e da corrente interferencial em pacientes com lombalgia crônica não específica.

TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL:: Ensaio clínico randomizado, simples-cego, no Departamento de Fisioterapia do Centro Universitário de Maringá.

MÉTODOS:: Cento e cinquenta pacientes foram randomicamente divididos em três grupos: TENS (grupo 1), corrente interferencial (grupo 2) e controle (grupo 3). Os pacientes designados à eletroterapia receberam 10 sessões de 30 minutos, enquanto o grupo controle permaneceu sem tratamento. Todos os pacientes e os controles foram avaliados antes e depois do tratamento usando a escala visual analógica, os questionários McGill de dor e Roland Morris, e quanto ao uso de medicamentos.

RESULTADOS:: Houve redução média na escala visual analógica de 39,18 mm com TENS, de 44,86 mm com a corrente interferencial e 8.53 mm no grupo controle. No questionário Roland Morris, o grupo 1 teve redução média de 6,59, o grupo 2 de 7,20 e o grupo 3 de 0,70 pontos. 84% dos pacientes do primeiro grupo, 75% no segundo e 34% no terceiro grupo cessaram a medicação depois do tratamento. Não foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente quando comparados os grupos de TENS e corrente interferencial (P > 0,05), apenas quando comparados estes grupos com o controle (P < 0,0001).

CONCLUSÕES:: Não há diferença entre TENS e corrente interferencial no tratamento de pacientes com lombalgia crônica.

REGISTRO DE ENSAIO CLÍNICO:: NCT01017913.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Patient distribution for the study.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Pain intensity (VAS) at the beginning and at the end of each session for group 1 patients.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.. Pain intensity (VAS) at the beginning and at the end of each session for group 2 patients.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.. Initial and final mean pain intensity (VAS) according to treatment group.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.. Comparison of mean pain relief in transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential current groups.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.. Changes in Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) scores from before to after treatment, in the TENS, interferential current and control groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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