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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Sep-Oct;27(5):100549.
doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2023.100549. Epub 2023 Sep 21.

Effectiveness of interferential current in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Érika P Rampazo  1 , Maurício A Luz Júnior  2 , Juliana B Corrêa  2 , Naiane T B de Oliveira  2 , Irlei Dos Santos  2 , Richard E Liebano  3 , Leonardo O P Costa  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Effectiveness of interferential current in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Érika P Rampazo et al. Braz J Phys Ther. 2023 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

Background: There is no systematic review assessing the effectiveness of interferential current (IC) in patients with low back pain.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of IC in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.

Methods: The databases PUBMED, EMBASE, PEDro, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and SCIELO were searched. Randomized controlled trials reporting pain intensity and disability in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain, in which IC was applied were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to evaluate the quality of evidence.

Results: Thirteen RCTs were considered eligible for this systematic review (pooled n = 1367). Main results showed moderate-quality evidence and moderate effect sizes that IC probably reduces pain intensity and disability compared to placebo immediately post-treatment (Pain: MD = -1.57 points; 95% CI -2.17, -0.98; Disability: MD = -1.51 points; 95% CI -2.57, -0.46), but not at intermediate-term follow-up. Low-quality evidence with small effect size showed that IC may reduce pain intensity (SMD = -0.32; 95% CI -0.61, -0.03, p = 0.03) compared to TENS immediately post-treatment, but not for disability. There is very low-quality evidence that IC combined with other interventions (massage or exercises) may not further reduce pain intensity and disability compared to the other interventions provided in isolation immediately post-treatment.

Conclusion: Moderate-quality evidence shows that IC is probably better than placebo for reducing pain intensity and disability immediately post-treatment in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.

Keywords: Electric stimulation therapy; Interferential current; Low back pain; Systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest Richard Eloin Liebano is co-author of studies included in the present review. All other authors have no conflict of interests to declare.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig. 1
Selection of studies for the systematic review.
Fig 2
Fig. 2
Meta-analysis of pain intensity immediately post-treatment comparing IC versus Placebo. IC, interferential current; SD, standard deviation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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