Immediate analgesic effect of interferential and Aussie currents in chronic low back pain: randomized clinical trial

HIGHLIGHTS

• Mid-frequency currents provided immediate analgesic effect in subjects with chronic low back pain.

• Interferential current decreased pain and improved functionality in subjects with chronic low back pain.

• The analgesic effect of interferential current was superior to that of Aussie current.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Despite the widespread use of mid-frequency currents in reducing pain in chronic low back pain (CLBP), there is still no consensus on the optimal parameters for treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the immediate analgesic effects of interferential (IC) and Aussie (AC) currents in CLBP.

METHODS:

This is a five-arm double-blind randomized controlled trial. Patients aged between 18 and 60 years with CLBP were randomly divided into 5 groups: CI4kHz/100Hz, CI4kHz/2Hz, CA4kHz/100Hz, CA4kHz/2Hz and placebo (PG). Participants received a single application of Interferential current or Aussie current for 30 min. Main outcome measures were pain intensity by numeric pain scale (NPS), McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ) and pressure pain threshold. The secondary outcomes assessed were: abdominal strength test (AST), lumbar flexion test (modified Schober test), trunk and lower limb mobility (sit and reach test and finger tip test).

RESULTS:

There was a significant difference in NPS and MPQ groups (with the exception of the affective component) (p<0.05) in IC 4 kHz/100 Hz and IC 4 kHz/2 Hz groups in relation to PG. Regarding secondary outcomes, a difference was found only between IC 4kHz/2Hz and PG in AET.

CONCLUSION:

Interferential current, regardless of frequency modulation, provided immediate analgesic effect in individuals with CLBP, being superior to the effects of Aussie current.

Keywords:
Pain; Low back pain; Pain measurement; Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation