TENS Reduces Movement-Evoked Pain in People With CLBP
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
In this cross-over study 25 patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) were tested for pain relief in 2 conditions: while using the Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) application and without using it. Primary outcome: Movement-Evoked Pain (MEP). This was measured using the Back Performance Scale (BPS) and a 5-minute walk test (5MWT). Participants performed 5 functional tasks and were asked to rate their pain before, during, and after each movement on a numeric rating score scale. The same principle will be used for the 5MWT: for each walking-minute, 3 pain measurements will be assessed.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Movement-Evoked Pain during TENS treatment Participants performed several physical tasks while using the HeatTens device (HV-F311-E). During these tasks, participants needed to rate their pain. |
Device: HeatTens (HV-F311-E)
(1) 2~108 Hertz (modulation program inside); (2) 100 microseconds (pulse duration)
|
| No Intervention: Movement-Evoked Pain Participants performed several physical tasks during with their pain was assessed. |
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Movement Evoked Pain [Change in pain score between (1) Movement Evoked Pain measures assessed without TENS application and (2) Movement-Evoked Pain measured assessed while using TENS application. Between both measures, a wash out period of 30 minutes was introduced.]
Pain that is experienced in response to 2 physical tasks: the Back Performance Scale and the 5 minutes walk test. Participants performed 5 physical tasks (= 1) grasping toes with fingertips in a sitting position; 2) forward bending from standing; 3) picking up paper from standing; 4) long-sitting from supine and 5) lifting a 5kg box from floor to table) and walked for 5 minutes. Participants provided a pain rating on a 11 points Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) with the endpoints no pain" (0) and "excruciating pain" (10). Pain will be assessed during the physical tasks (=at the same moment).
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- chronic nonspecific LBP for at least 3 months' duration: non-specific LBP implies that patients are not allowed to have any evidence of specific spinal pathology (e.g., hernia, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, infection, spinal fracture or malignancy).
Exclusion Criteria:
-
spinal surgery in the past 6 months
-
severe underlying comorbidity (like diagnosed diabetes, cardiovascular problems, etc.),
-
pregnant or given birth in the preceding year,
-
having initiated a new LBP treatment in the 6 weeks prior to study participation
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vrije Universiteit Brussel | Brussel | Jette | Belgium | 1090 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Lynn Leemans, Dra. Lynn Leemans
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
- LLeemans