Immediate analgesic effect of 2KHz interferential current in chronic low back pain: randomized clinical trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Interferential current is widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of low back pain, but there is no literature consensus regarding its parameters. The objective of this study was to analyze the immediate effect of the 2KHz interferential current in chronic low back pain. METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial was previously approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Paraná, with the participation of 105 individuals with chronic low back pain (>12 weeks) of both genders. Participants were randomized in 3 groups: placebo group (PG, n=35), electrical stimulus off; interferential current1 (IG1, n=35), carrier frequency 2KHz, AMF of 2Hz, motor intensity level and IG2, n=35, carrier frequency 2KHz, AMF of 100Hz, sensory intensity level. All groups were subjected to a single application for 30 minutes with 4 electrodes in a crossed-shape position in the lumbar region. RESULTS: The visual analog scale, McGill pain scale, Oswestry Low Back disability questionnaire, Roland Morris disability questionnaire and Algometria of pressure were used for evaluation and revaluation. CONCLUSION: It may be noticed that by the visual analog scale and questionnaires, the interferential current provided an immediate analgesic effect in chronic lumbar pain regardless of the mode of stimulation.

Immediate Analgesic Effect of 4khz Amfs Interferential Current on Chronic Low Back Pain

“…Therefore, it is important to evaluate the immediate analgesic effect of the application of IFC, because it can reduce or momentarily extinguish pre-and/or post-exercise pain. 17,39,40 Few studies have compared the immediate effect of IFC, 16,17,[40][41][42][43] but only three of them 16,40,42 use the 4kHz carrier frequency, and do not compare different AMFs. Similarly to Correa et al, 18 this study found a significant reduction of pain through NRS after the application of IFC in all groups.…”

“…15 Despite the widespread use of electrotherapeutic resources in the treatment of low back pain, few studies have evaluated the immediate analgesic effect of IFC. Corrêa et al 16 observed that IFC provided immediate analgesia using a 1kHz carrier frequency (CF) and a 4kHz CF after the first application; Almeida et al 17 found a decrease in CLBP using IFC with a 2kHz CF, showing that it may play a key role in preparing the patient to later receive therapies more accepted by the literature, such as kinesiotherapy.…”

“…Moreover, a systematic review by Fuentes et al 19 demonstrates that the heterogeneity of research on the application of IFC in musculoskeletal pain is a factor that limits conclusions about the effectiveness of the analgesic effect of this current. Almeida et al 17 emphasize that the use of validated assessment instruments, and the participation of patients with real pain, rather than subjects with induced pain, are determining factors for the effectiveness of the studies.…”