A recent article* reports a study which analyzed the effectiveness of a combined method of massage and electrotherapy with interferential current in individuals with chronic low back pain.
In the study, 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).
The results revealed that 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, compared to superficial massage.
* Short-term effects of interferential current electro-massage in adults with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation; May2013, Vol. 27 Issue 5, p439, by Lara-Palomo, Inmaculada Carmen (1); Aguilar-Ferrándiz, María Encarnación; Matarán-Peñarrocha, Guillermo A; Saavedra-Hernández, Manuel; Granero-Molina, José; Fernández-Sola, Cayetano; Castro-Sánchez, Adelaida María
1Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, University of Almeria, Spain.
