Effect of Combined Brain and Back Muscle Stimulations on Level of Physical Disability among Chronic Low Back Pain Patients

摘要

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of combining anodal cortical and back muscle stimulations in chronic low back pain (CLBP). Forty eight patients divided into four groups participated in the study. The control group received infrared therapy (IRT) and a session soft tissue massage (STM), while those in the other groups received combined dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and Back muscle stimulation plus IRT and STM, combine primary motor cortex (PMC) and Back muscle stimulations plus IRT and STM and Williams flexion exercise plus IRT and STM respectively. The primary outcome (disability level) was assessed using modified Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire while bothersome questionnaire (secondary outcome) was used to assess the level of bothersome of the participants. Statistical analysis revealed that participants that received DLPFC/Back muscle stimulation plus IRT and STM (p=0. 046, z=-2.02) have much improvement in disability compare to those that received PMC /Back muscle stimulations plus IRT and STM. In addition, the control intervention (IRT and STM) proves to be more effective (P=0.025, Z=-2.24) compare to other groups. It is concluded that IRT and a session of STM is more effective in the reduction of disability and improvement of the functions in CLBP than the combine stimulations, but the result cannot be generalized because of the small sample size and type of design used in this clinical trial.