Treatment and Companion Diagnostics of Lower Back Pain Using Self-Controlled Energo-Neuroadaptive Regulator (SCENAR) and Passive Microwave Radiometry (MWR)

Abstract

Evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment of nonspecific lower back pain (LBP) is currently largely based on the patient’s subjective feelings. The purpose of this study was to use passive microwave radiometry (MWR) as a tool for assessing the effectiveness of various treatment methods in patients with acute and subacute nonspecific LBP. Patients with a pain assessment on a visual analogue scale (VAS) of 6 to 10 points were divided into two groups: Group I included patients with pharmacological, syndrome-oriented treatment (n = 30, age 54.9 ± 2.3 years); Group II included a combination of pharmacotherapy with self-controlled energy-neuroadaptive regulation (SCENAR) (n = 25, age 52.8 ± 2.5 years). The analysis showed that the addition of SCENAR therapy (Group II) significantly potentiated the analgesic effect at the stages of treatment, and after 3 weeks, this had increased by more than two times, by 1.3 points on the VAS. There was also a significant decrease in the maximum internal temperature and normalization of the gradient of internal and skin temperatures, and a decrease in thermo-asymmetry, as assessed by temperature fields. Thermal asymmetry visualization allows the identification of the area of pathological muscle spasm and/or inflammation in the projection of the vertebral-motor segment for the possible targeted use of treatment methods such as percutaneous electro neurostimulation, massage, manual therapy, diagnostic and treatment blocks, etc. The MWR method also avoids unnecessary radiation exposure.

Age-Related Changes in the Temperature of the Lumbar Spine Measured by Passive Microwave Radiometry (MWR)

“…The temperature measured with a radiometer is called the brightness temperature and is the temperature in the volume (cylinder) directly under the antenna (3-7 cm, depending on the diameter of the antenna and type of tissue). The principles and clinical data are described in detail [15][16][17][18]. Temperature measurements in the region of the lumbar vertebrae were obtained using the MWR2020 system (former RTM-01-RES) (MMWR Ltd., Edinburgh, UK).…”

Applications of Microwaves in Medicine Leveraging Artificial Intelligence: Future Perspectives

“…This was found to be superior to the currently used intraluminal drug injections [92,93]. The ability of MR to detect temperature changes can also be used for targeted therapy, as was attempted by Tarakanov et al [94], to treat patients with lower back pain. In this study, thermal asymmetry was assessed for back muscles and focused self-controlled energy-neuroadaptive regulation (SCENAR) therapy was used for muscles with more spasms and inflammation.…”

Hope for Hypermobility: Part 2—An Integrative Approach to Treating Symptomatic Joint Hypermobility

“…The Scenar electrotherapy device is another noninvasive method to manage acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Current research of Scenar therapy shows contradictory findings, although some patients derived significant benefit 53,54…”

“…Current research of Scenar therapy shows contradictory findings, although some patients derived significant benefit. 53,54 Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation devices can be used at home or in PT; although little evidence shows longterm benefit, it can provide immediate relief and improvement of functional disability. 55,56 Scrambler therapy is a noninvasive, drug-free treatment with no reported side effects, used to treat chronic neuropathic pain, such as low back pain and neuropathies.…”