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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Mar 1;100(3):243-249.
doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001552.

Effect of Pain Education, Cryotherapy, and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on the Pain, Functional Capacity, and Quality of Life in Patients With Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Vinicius Vieira de Alencar Caldas  1 , Daniel Germano Maciel, Mikhail Santos Cerqueira, Jean Artur Mendonça Barboza, João Batista Viana Neto, Glauko Dantas, Ronan Romeno Varela de Melo, Rachel Naara Silva de Souza, Wouber Herickson de Brito Vieira
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of Pain Education, Cryotherapy, and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on the Pain, Functional Capacity, and Quality of Life in Patients With Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Vinicius Vieira de Alencar Caldas et al. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. .

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of pain education and the combined use of cryotherapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on the pain sensation, functional capacity, and quality of life of patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain.

Design: This is a randomized controlled and blind clinical trial including patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain in the following 4 groups: control group, cryotherapy group, burst transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group, and cryotherapy combined with burst transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group. They were evaluated at baseline and after the protocol was concluded using the following: Roland-Morris questionnaire and sit-to-stand test; quality-of-life questionnaire; and pain. The protocol consisted of 10 sessions with pain education associated the combination of the electrophysical agents.

Results: There were no statistical differences between groups after the intervention protocol. In the within analysis, all groups presented an improvement in visual analog scale scores, Roland-Morris questionnaire, sit-to-stand test, and pain domain of quality-of-life questionnaire.

Conclusions: This study showed that with pain education, there was no difference between cryotherapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation alone, combined, or placebo mode in improving pain, functional capacity, and quality of life in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain.

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Conflict of interest statement

Financial disclosure statements have been obtained, and no conflicts of interest have been reported by the authors or by any individuals in control of the content of this article.

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