Journal article
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, Vol.20(10), pp.1653-1666
11/2016
DOI: 10.1002/ejp.889
PMID: 27150263
Abstract
Interferential current (IFC) is commonly used for pain relief, but the effects of carrier frequency of the current and its action on pain mechanisms remain unclear. This randomized placebo-controlled trial tested the effects of IFC in people with chronic nonspecific low back pain.
One hundred and fifty participants were randomly allocated into three groups: 1 kHz, 4 kHz and placebo. The primary outcomes were pain intensity at rest in the first session (immediate effect of the IFC), after 12 sessions, 4 months after randomization (follow-up) and during movement (first and last session). The secondary outcomes were disability, global perceived effect, functional performance, discomfort caused by the IFC, use of analgesics and physiological measures of pain.
Only during the first session, there was a significant decrease in pain intensity in the active groups. However, there were no differences in the improvement of pain at rest or during movement in the active groups compared to the placebo group in the remaining sessions. The frequency use of analgesics was significantly decreased in the active groups. For pain physiology measures, there was a significant increase in pressure pain thresholds in both active groups compared to the placebo group and a reduction in the temporal summation in the 1 kHz group compared to the other groups.
These results suggest that although the IFC has changed some physiological mechanisms of pain and showed decrease frequency use of pain medication, there was no change in the primary aim, pain intensity. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD?: The interferential current (IFC) presented advantages in the physiological measures of pain and showed decrease frequency use of pain medication. Future studies should investigate analgesic intake with IFC treatment.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- 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
- Creators
- J B Corrêa - Master's and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, BrazilL O P Costa - Musculoskeletal Division, The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaN T B Oliveira - Master's and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, BrazilW P Lima - Master's and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, BrazilK A Sluka - Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, USAR E Liebano - Master's and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, Brazil. liebano@gmail.com
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- European journal of pain, Vol.20(10), pp.1653-1666
- Publisher
- England
- DOI
- 10.1002/ejp.889
- PMID
- 27150263
- ISSN
- 1090-3801
- eISSN
- 1532-2149
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/501100001807, name: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, award: 2012/13910‐2; DOI: 10.13039/501100003593, name: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, award: 473929/2012‐0
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/2016
- Academic Unit
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Nursing; Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science; Neuroscience and Pharmacology
- Record Identifier
- 9984040262602771
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