INTRODUCTION: Electrothermophototherapy and kinesiotherapy are options to treat LBP. Exercise techniques turned to paravertebral muscles aims at power and range of motion (ROM) enhancement. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) shows property to increase muscle function. OBJECTIVE: To test the influence of NMES in association to a core training (CT) program, about non-specific LBP treatment, at pain and ROM variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled double-blind trial was performed with 27 patients of FIT-UGF School Clinic with LBP related diagnoses. Two groups was randomly set: active control (CORE; n = 13) and experimental (CORE + NMES; n = 14). McGill pain questionnaire and photogrammetry was performed before first and after the last session, for pain and ROM measurement, respectively. RESULTS: The groups were similar about initial pain (p = 0.99); final pain of CORE + NMES was significantly lower than CORE (p = 0.03); final pain of CORE did not show significant difference related to the initial pain (p = 0.93); final pain of CORE + NMES group was significantly lower than initial pain (p = 0.00). The ROM did not vary significantly intra-group and inter-groups in any group (p = 0.10). CONCLUSION: The application of NMES in low back region after CT was effective, causing a significantly reduction in non-specific LBP. However, there was no significant difference in ROM between the groups.
Low back pain; Electrical stimulation; Lumbar stabilization
