Article

Objectives: To analyse the effectiveness of a combined procedure of massage and
electrotherapy with interferential current in individuals with chronic
non-specific low back pain of mechanical aetiology.
Design: A single blinded
randomized controlled trial. Setting: Clinical setting. Participants: Sixty-two
individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain were randomly assigned to an
experimental or control group. For 10 weeks the experimental group underwent
treatment comprising 20 sessions (twice a week) of massage with interferential
current in the lumbar and dorsal-lumbar area, and the control group received
superficial lower back massage (effleurage, superficial pressure and skin
rolling). Main outcome variables: Oswestry Disability Index, pain visual analogue
scale, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire,
McQuade Test, Side Bridge Test, quality of life scores and the range of trunk
anteflexion motion, which were all assessed before the treatment and immediately
after the last treatment session. Results: The 2 x 2 mixed model ANOVA with
repeated measurements showed statistically significant group * time interactions
for the visual analogue scale (F = 12.839; P = 0.001), Oswestry Disability Index
(F = 5.850; P = 0.019), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (F = 8.237; P =
0.006) and quality of life (physical function (F = 16.792; P = 0.001), physical
role (F = 14.839; P = 0.001) and body pain (F = 11.247; P = 0.001)). Conclusions:
In individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain, interferential current
electro-massage achieved a significantly greater improvement in disability, pain
and quality of life in comparison to superficial massage after 20 treatment sessions.

Langue : ANGLAIS