Effects of carrier frequency of interferential current on modulation of pain and central hypersensitivity in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain: randomized controlled trial

• Grant number: 12/13910-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2012
• End date: September 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Richard Eloin Liebano
• Grantee: Richard Eloin Liebano
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pós-Graduação, Pesquisa e Extensão. Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (UNICID). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Leonardo Oliveira Pena Costa

Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain is an important public health problem and may interfere with quality of life and daily activities, being responsible for high rates of absenteeism and work licenses, and high socioeconomic costs. The treatment of chronic low back pain aims to decrease pain and reduce disability. The use of electrophysical agents for pain relief may make those patients able to participate in treatment programs. Among the physical resources, the interferential current has been investigated for the treatment of low back pain. Objectives: Primary: To investigate the effect of the carrier frequency interferential current to relieve nonspecific chronic low back pain. Secondary: to assess the pressure pain threshold, the discomfort produced by the current, disability, analgesic consumption, the perception of the overall treatment effect and influence of treatment on the central mechanisms of pain. Methods: 150 patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain will be recruited and randomly assigned into 3 groups: Group 1 kHz, 4 kHz and Placebo Group. The interferential current will be applied for two weeks, five days a week for 30 minutes. Pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, the discomfort of the current, perception of the overall effect, conditioned pain modulation and temporal summation of pain will be assessed. Follow-up measures will be also preformed after 3 months. Due to the nature of the intervention, only the therapist in charge will know which treatment group the subject will be allocated, featuring single blinded trial study. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CORREA, J. B.; COSTA, L. O. P.; OLIVEIRA, N. T. B.; LIMA, W. P.; SLUKA, K. A.; LIEBANO, R. E.. Effects of the carrier frequency of interferential current on pain modulation and central hypersensitivity in people with chronic nonspecific low back pain: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAIN, v. 20, n. 10, p. 1653-1666, NOV 2016. (12/13910-2)

CORREA, JULIANA BARBOSA; PENA COSTA, LEONARDO OLIVEIRA; BASTOS DE OLIVEIRA, NAIANE TEIXEIRA; SLUKA, KATHLEEN A.; LIEBANO, RICHARD ELOIN. Central sensitization and changes in conditioned pain modulation in people with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a case-control study. Experimental Brain Research, v. 233, n. 8, p. 2391-2399, AUG 2015. (12/13910-2)

CORREA, JULIANA BARBOSA; PENA COSTA, LEONARDO OLIVEIRA; BASTOS DE OLIVEIRA, NAIANE TEIXEIRA; SLUKA, KATHLEEN A.; LIEBANO, RICHARD ELOIN. Effects of the carrier frequency of interferential current on pain modulation in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a protocol of a randomised controlled trial. BMC MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS, v. 14, JUN 27 2013. (12/13910-2)