Electrical Stimulation With Interferential Current in the Non-especific Chronic Low Back Pain: Effects on the Autonomic Nervous System.
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The aim of this study it's to analyze the relationship between autonomic nervous system balance (ANSb) and chronic pain conditions, especially in this case, non-especific chronic low back pain (CLBP).
Most of physiotherapy approaches focus only in biomechanical aspects, leaving aside what kind of factors could perpetuate CLBP. Since 1985, ANSb was studied due to its potential contribution to chronic pain.
Electrical stimulation, through interferential currents (IFC), it's a safe and well-known therapy used in CLBP with good outcomes regarding pain relief.
The main objective of this study it's to quantify the association between CLBP and ANSb alterations. In second place, the research team aims to record the influence of IFC over pain and ANSb in those subjects.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Detailed Description
In the first place, a meeting will be organized with the patients to resolve any doubt about the study and its process. The investigators will make sure every instruction is understandable, giving enough time to read and ask pertinent questions.
Secondly, patients will be provided of an informed consent specific for the present study, according to the legal forms. Participants must agree with all the information and sign the document.
At this point, patients will be interviewed individually by a researcher to collect all the data regarding to the Clinical History in Physiotherapy.
In the next step, patients will be randomized into two different groups by choosing one opaque envelope, containing a number for the allocation. A researcher will make the final allocation depending on the number. Patients were unaware of the group allocation for masking.
This study has to possible groups with a common indication for both:
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Experimental group: Patients allocated in this group will receive one single session of interferential current (IFC). Current used a carrier frequency of 4.000 Hz, 65Hz of amplitude modulated frequency (AMF) with sweep frecuency of 95Hz in a 1:1 swing pattern (quadripolar technique). Intensity was adjusted according to patient's tolerance without visible muscle twitches. The session will last 25 min.
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Control group: This group will receive the same intervention than experimental one but with no intensity, for 25 minutes. Patients will keep his general practitioner's indications about pharmacology.
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Common indication: Both groups will get instructions to perform a set of home-based exercises for core strengthening after variable collecting.
Before and after the session, all the variable measurements will be collected in the same environmental conditions by the same researcher. Basal measurement (before intervention) will be recorded 15 minutes before session for 10 minutes. The second measurement will be taken while the patient recieves the intervention for 20 minutes.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Sham Comparator: Sham IFC therapy: Control group This group will recieve also instructions for core strengthening exercises and a single session of interferential current (IFC). IFC parameters: Carrier frequency of 4000 Hz Amplitude modulated frequency of 65 Hz (AMF) Sweep frequency of 95 Hz of modulation with a 1:1 swing pattern, in a quadripolar technique. NO intensity (0 mA) Session duration: 25 minutes |
Device: Electrical stimulation: Interferential Current (IFC): Control Group
Application of IFC with Sonopuls 692® (Enraf-Nonius BV, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) device. Parameters:
Carrier frequency of 4000 Hz
Amplitude modulated frequency of 65 Hz (AMF)
Sweep frequency of 95 Hz of modulation with a 1:1 swing pattern, in a quadripolar technique.
NO intensity (0 mA)
Session duration: 25 minutes
|
| Experimental: IFC therapy: Experimental group This group will recieve also instructions for core strengthening exercises and a single session of interferential current (IFC). IFC parameters: Carrier frequency of 4000 Hz Amplitude modulated frequency of 65 Hz (AMF) Sweep frequency of 95 Hz of modulation with a 1:1 swing pattern, in a quadripolar technique. Intensity will depend on subjet's tolerance but without generating visible muscle twitches. Session duration: 25 minutes |
Device: Electrical stimulation: Interferential Current (IFC): Experimental Group
Application of IFC with Sonopuls 692® (Enraf-Nonius BV, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) device. Parameters:
Carrier frequency of 4000 Hz
Amplitude modulated frequency of 65 Hz (AMF)
Sweep frequency of 95 Hz of modulation with a 1:1 swing pattern, in a quadripolar technique.
Intensity will depend on subjet's tolerance but without generate visible muscle twitches.
Session duration: 25 minutes
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Heart Rate variability (HRV-a) [Evaluation before intervention (basal): 15 minutes before intervention, for 10 minutes.]
Heart Rate variability (HRV) is measured by calculating mean HR, maximum HR and minimum HR. First Beat Bodyguard2 device will be used to collect HRV.
- Heart Rate variability (HRV-b) [Evaluation during the intervention: For 20 minutes, while the interferential current (intervention) is being applied.]
Heart Rate variability (HRV) is measured by calculating mean HR, maximum HR and minimum HR. First Beat Bodyguard2 device will be used to collect HRV.
- Root-mean-square differences of successive heartbeat intervals (RMSSD-a) [Evaluation before intervention (basal): 15 minutes before intervention, for 10 minutes.]
RMSSD it's an indirect indicator of parasympathic nervous system level of activity. First Beat Bodyguard2 device will be used to collect RMSSD.
- Root-mean-square differences of successive heartbeat intervals (RMSSD-b) [Evaluation during the intervention: For 20 minutes, while the interferential current (intervention) is being applied.]
RMSSD it's an indirect indicator of parasympathic nervous system level of activity. First Beat Bodyguard2 device will be used to collect RMSSD.
- Standard Deviation 1 (SD1-a) [Evaluation before intervention (basal): 15 minutes before intervention, for 10 minutes.]
SD1 is an indicator of the autonomic nervous balance. First Beat Bodyguard2 device will be used to collect it.
- Standard Deviation 1 (SD1-b) [Evaluation during the intervention: For 20 minutes, while the interferential current (intervention) is being applied.]
SD1 is an indicator of the autonomic nervous balance. First Beat Bodyguard2 device will be used to collect it.
- Standard Deviation 2 (SD2-a) [Evaluation before intervention (basal): 15 minutes before intervention, for 10 minutes.]
SD2 is an indicator of the autonomic nervous balance. First Beat Bodyguard2 device will be used to collect it.
- Standard Deviation 2 (SD2-b) [Evaluation during the intervention: For 20 minutes, while the interferential current (intervention) is being applied.s.]
SD2 is an indicator of the autonomic nervous balance. First Beat Bodyguard2 device will be used to collect it.
- Stress Index (SS-a) [Evaluation before intervention (basal): 15 minutes before intervention, for 10 minutes.]
SS it's an indicator of sympathetic nervous system level of activation. First Beat Bodyguard2 device will be used to collect SS.
- Stress Index (SS-b) [Evaluation during the intervention: For 20 minutes, while the interferential current (intervention) is being applied.s.]
SS it's an indicator of sympathetic nervous system level of activation. First Beat Bodyguard2 device will be used to collect SS.
- Sympathetic / Parasympathetic Ratio (S/PS Ratio-a) [Evaluation before intervention (basal): 15 minutes before intervention, for 10 minutes.]
S/PS Ratio it's an indicator of autonomic nervous system balance. First Beat Bodyguard2 device will be used to collect S/PS Ratio.
- Sympathetic / Parasympathetic Ratio (S/PS Ratio-b) [Evaluation during the intervention: For 20 minutes, while the interferential current (intervention) is being applied.s.]
S/PS Ratio it's an indicator of autonomic nervous system balance. First Beat Bodyguard2 device will be used to collect S/PS Ratio.
- Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS-a) [Evaluation before intervention (basal): 15 minutes before intervention.]
NPRS it's an scale used to measure with ease, patient's perceived pain with a scoring of 0 (no pain) and 10 (maximum pain).
- Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS-b) [Evaluation immediately after treatment session.]
NPRS it's an scale used to measure with ease, patient's perceived pain with a scoring of 0 (no pain) and 10 (maximum pain).
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Roland Morris Questionnaire (RMQ-a) [Evaluation before intervention (basal): 15 minutes before intervention.]
RMQ it's a questionnaire used to measure an individual level of disability related to low back pain, with a scoring of 0 (no disability at all) and 24 (maximum disability).
- Roland Morris Questionnaire (RMQ-b) [Evaluation immediately after treatment session.]
RMQ it's a questionnaire used to measure an individual level of disability related to low back pain, with a scoring of 0 (no disability at all) and 24 (maximum disability).
- Scale for Personal Psychological Apprehension (SPPA) [Evaluation before intervention (basal): 15 minutes before intervention.]
SPPA it's a questionnaire made to measure subject's susceptibility to receive electrical stimulation. A scoring of >45 points indicates that subject shouldnt be treated with electrical therapy.
- Dosimetry achieved with electrical stimulation [Recorded immediately after treatment session.]
Maximal dosimetry reached during the session will be recorded in mA.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Subjects diagnosed with cronic low back pain with at least 3 months of evolution.
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Subjects with a minimal pain of 3/10 according to NPRS
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Subjects with informed consent read and signed.
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Subjects not undergoing any other physical therapy intervention.
Exclusion Criteria:
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Any uncontrolled neurological or cardiac disorder.
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Personal Psychological Apprehension Scale (PPAS) score higher than 37.5.
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Contraindication for electrical stimulation.
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Any regular use of medications known to affect the function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) or pain perception, including antidepressant, benzodiazepines, anti-inflammatory drugs and beta-blockers, 2 weeks before participating in this study.
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Ineligibility to participate determined by the researches.
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Neurological, musculoskeletal or sensory affectations.
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Evidence of infectious process, fever or hypotension.
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Metallic implants in low back area or treated area
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No surgical interventions in low back area
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Not being under pharmacological treatment with influence in Autonomic Nervous System like antidepressants.
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manuel Albornoz Cabello | Sevilla | Spain |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- University of Seville
Investigators
None specified.Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- CIFSNA2020