Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in low back pain treatment

Barbara Ratajczak, Ewa Boerner, Arletta Hawrylak, Aneta Demidaś

Barbara Ratajczak, Ewa Boerner, Arletta Hawrylak, Aneta Demidaś – Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in low back pain treatment. Fizjoterapia Polska 2008; 8(2); 179-188

Abstract
Background. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of TENS and its impact on pain intensity, mobility range and functional capacity of the spine in subjects with a diagnosed lumbar discopathy. Material and methods. The study group consisted of 40 patients with a diagnosed lumbar discopathy. This group was subjected to TENS therapy. The intensity of pain, functional status and mobility range of the lumbar spine in the sagittal, frontal and transverse planes were assessed in all patients before and after the therapy.Results. The results indicate that functional capacity correlates significantly with pain level. The sensation of pain is the main determinant of patients’ physical and mental well-being. It is reflected both in differences in pain level owing to TENS (the patients’ physical and mental state was getting better along with decreasing pain level) and in the values of this parameter before and after the TENS therapy. The observed differences were statistically significant, allowing the conclusion that functional capacity correlates significantly with pain intensity.Conclusion. Pain intensity decreased considerably under the influence of TENS, which also had a marked effect on increasing lumbar flexion range in the sagittal plane. The patient’s functional capacity improved significantly with TENS and, consequently, so did their general physical and mental well-being.
Key words:
discopathy, transcutaneus electrical nerve stimulation, pain, functional fitness test
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