Electrical Stimulation With Interferential Current in the Non-especific Chronic Low Back Pain: Effects on the Autonomic Nervous System.

Chronic Pain Clinical Trial

Official title: Electrical Stimulation With Interferential Current in the Non-especific Chronic Low Back Pain: Effects on the Autonomic Nervous System.

Status Completed

Clinical Trial 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.

Clinical Trial 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Autonomic Imbalance
• Back Pain
• Chronic Low-back Pain
• Chronic Pain
• Low Back Pain

• NCT number: NCT04483128
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University of Seville
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: June 1, 2020
• Completion date: December 10, 2020