Efeitos da TENS associada à crioterapia na dor lombar crônica não específica: ensaio clínico, randomizado

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain (CNLBP) is a recurrent problem in the world population. The association between Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and cryotherapy appears as an option in the treatment of painful symptoms caused by this dysfunction. Purpose: to evaluate the effects of Conventional and Burst TENS, associated or not with cryotherapy, on non-specific CNLBP. Methods: this is a randomized clinical trial, where 120 volunteers with nonspecific CNLBP were recruited. The subjects were submitted to pain intensity and pressure pain threshold evaluations on the lumbar region, in the paravertebral area, at L3 and L5 vertebrae levels. Then, they were randomly allocated to six groups (n = 20 each), with application of resources for 25 minutes: placebo TENS (PCB), Burst TENS (BT), Conventional TENS (CT), cryotherapy (CRYO), cryotherapy + Conventional TENS (CRYOCT) and cryotherapy + TENS Burst (CRYOBT). The evaluations were repeated immediately and 25 minutes after the interventions. Results: the CRYOCT and CRYOBT groups showed a greater immediate reduction in the intensity of low back pain, compared to the other groups, and this effect was maintained only in the CRYOBT group after 25 minutes (p <0.05). There was also an immediate increase in the pressure pain threshold (L3 and L5) in the BT, CRYOCT and CRYOBT groups, considering intergroup comparisons (p<0.05). After 25 minutes, similar results were found in the BT and CRYOBT groups, compared to the other groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: the association of Burst TENS with cryotherapy seemed to be more effective and lasting in reducing pain intensity and increasing the pain pressure threshold, in individuals with non-specific CNLBP.