TENS Reduces Movement-Evoked Pain in People With CLBP

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Chronic Low-back Pain

• Registration Number: NCT04090814
• Lead Sponsor: Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Brief Summary

In this cross-over study 25 patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) were tested for pain relief in 2 conditions: while using the Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) application and without using it. Primary outcome: Movement-Evoked Pain (MEP). This was measured using the Back Performance Scale (BPS) and a 5-minute walk test (5MWT). Participants performed 5 functional tasks and were asked to rate their pain before, during, and after each movement on a numeric rating score scale. The same principle will be used for the 5MWT: for each walking-minute, 3 pain measurements will be assessed.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2019-09-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-09-13
• Study First Posted: 2019-09-16
• Study Start: 2019-10-01
• Primary Completion: 2019-11-01
• Study Completion: 2019-11-01
• Status Verified: 2021-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-02-02
• Last Update Posted: 2021-02-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 25

Inclusion Criteria

• chronic nonspecific LBP for at least 3 months' duration: non-specific LBP implies that patients are not allowed to have any evidence of specific spinal pathology (e.g., hernia, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, infection, spinal fracture or malignancy).

Exclusion Criteria

• spinal surgery in the past 6 months
• severe underlying comorbidity (like diagnosed diabetes, cardiovascular problems, etc.),
• pregnant or given birth in the preceding year,
• having initiated a new LBP treatment in the 6 weeks prior to study participation

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Movement Evoked Pain	Change in pain score between (1) Movement Evoked Pain measures assessed without TENS application and (2) Movement-Evoked Pain measured assessed while using TENS application. Between both measures, a wash out period of 30 minutes was introduced.	Pain that is experienced in response to 2 physical tasks: the Back Performance Scale and the 5 minutes walk test. Participants performed 5 physical tasks (= 1) grasping toes with fingertips in a sitting position; 2) forward bending from standing; 3) picking up paper from standing; 4) long-sitting from supine and 5) lifting a 5kg box from floor to table) and walked for 5 minutes. Participants provided a pain rating on a 11 points Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) with the endpoints no pain" (0) and "excruciating pain" (10). Pain will be assessed during the physical tasks (=at the same moment).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Vrije Universiteit Brussel; 🇧🇪 Brussel, Jette, Belgium