Electrical muscle stimulation as an adjunct to exercise therapy in the treatment of nonacute low back pain: A randomized trial

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed to investigate the efficacy of electrical muscle stimulation when combined with a therapist-guided, standardized exercise therapy progra m in the treatment of nonacute low back pain. Eighty patients with low back pain of at least 6 weeks' duration were randomized into the following 2 gr oups: standardized exercise therapy with functional electrical muscle stimu lation or standardized exercise therapy with placebo electrical stimulation . Subjects were evaluated at baseline, 2 months, and 6 months with a standa rdized back pain questionnaire and objective measurements of lumbar spine f unction. Exercise therapy was continued for 6 months, but electrical stimul ation was discontinued at the 2-month interval. of the 80 patients initiall y enrolled, 42 discontinued or withdrew before completing the entire study protocol. At the 2-month follow-up interval, subjects in the treatment grou p had statistically significantly improved lumbar spine function compared w ith the control subjects. This effect continued during the last 4 months of the study after electrical stimulation had been discontinued. This suggest s that electrical muscle stimulation can be an effective adjunctive treatme nt modality for nonacute low back pain. The effects of this combined therap y seem to last beyond the duration of electrical stimulation treatment. (C) 2001 by the American Pain Society.