Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences

The Effect of Electrical Stimulation Using the Alpha Device as a New Pain Relief Technique in the Management of Low Back Pain

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Bahman Pakdel Cherry 1
Mohammad Mohsen Roostayi 2
Fatemeh Amiri 2
Hasan ShamsI 2

1 Physiotherapy Research Center, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Physiotherapy, Physiotherapy Research Center, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.34172/jkmu.3824
Abstract
 
Background: Various electrical stimulation modalities help treat low back pain. This study aimed to determine whether the Alpha device could be utilized as an effective modality in treating non-specific chronic low back pain.
Methods: Twenty volunteers with low back pain were randomly enrolled in two groups: intervention (Alpha) and control. The patients in the Alpha group received five consecutive 20-minute treatment sessions with the Alpha device, and the control group just received the placebo treatment with this device. The visual analog scale (VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) were used to evaluate pain intensity, functional disability, and fear of movement, respectively, in both groups after five consecutive 20-minute sessions of treatment.
Results: The study results showed a reduction in the VAS (P = 0.019), ODI (P = 0.012), and TSK (P = 0.017) scores in the intervention (Alpha) group compared to the control group after treatment.
Conclusion: The considerable effects of the Alpha device on pain reduction, improved function, and reduced fear of movement in patients with low back pain suggest that this modality could be utilized in physiotherapy centers.

Highlights

Bahman Pakdel Cherry (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Mohammad Roostayi (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Keywords

Physical therapy
Electrical stimulation therapy
Low back pain
Subjects
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Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Volume 32
Pages 1-5

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