Immediate analgesic effect of two modes of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare and assess the immediate analgesic effects of conventional and burst transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in patients with chronic low back pain. METHODS: We conducted a three-arm single-blinded randomized controlled trial. A total of 105 patients with non-specific chronic low back pain aged between 18 and 85 years were randomly assigned into the following groups: Placebo Group (sham electrical stimulation), Conventional TENS Group (continuous stimulation at 100Hz for 100µs with sensory intensity), and Burst TENS Group (stimulation at 100Hz modulated at 2Hz for 100µs with motor-level intensity). All groups received a single application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for 30 minutes. The outcomes, namely, pain intensity, quality of pain, and pressure pain threshold were measured by the visual analog scale, McGill pain questionnaire, and algometry, respectively. The patients were evaluated before and immediately after the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation application. RESULTS: Pain intensity (visual analog scale score) and quality of pain (McGill pain questionnaire score) significantly decreased (p<0.05) in Intervention Groups (Conventional TENS Group and Burst TENS Group). A positive effect was observed in the interventions compared to the Placebo Group in all domains of the McGill pain questionnaire (p<0.05), excepting for the pain intensity. Pressure pain threshold significantly increased (p<0.05) immediately after the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation application in both Intervention Groups, but not in the Placebo Group. For significant difference was found during assessment when comparing both Intervetion Group. CONCLUSION: Both transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation modes were effective for pain modulation. Moreover, there was an increase in the pressure pain threshold. No significant results were found to indicate the best mode for the treatment of chronic low back pain.Clinical Trial Registration: RBR-59YGRB.

Impacto da cognição, funcionalidade e força de indivíduos com doença de Alzheimer sobre a qualidade de vida do cuidador / Impact of cognition, function and strength of individuals with Alzheimer's disease on the caregiver's quality of life

As demandas de cuidados na Doença de Alzheimer podem influenciar no cotidiano do cuidador. Objetivo: Avaliar se o comprometimento cognitivo, funcional e motor do indivíduo com a doença influenciam na qualidade de vida do cuidador. Método: Estudo transversal, do qual participaram 27 indivíduos com Doença de Alzheimer e seus cuidadores. A qualidade de vida do cuidador foi avaliada pelo questionário Quality of Life-AD, a cognição do paciente foi verificada pela Clinical Dementia Rating, a funcionalidade pela Medida de Independência Funcional, mobilidade pelo Timed Up and Go e a força muscular pela força de preensão manual. A associação entre as variáveis foi realizada pelos testes Kruskal-Wallis e exato de Fisher ou pelos testes de correlação de Pearson ou Spearman, considerando p≤0,05. Resultado: Observou-se associação entre a cognição do indivíduo com Doença de Alzheimer e qualidade de vida do cuidador (p=0,026) e correlação entre a funcionalidade do paciente e qualidade de vida do cuidador (p=0,031). Conclusão: Os aspectos de qualidade de vida afetados pela cognição, função e mobilidade, são: disposição, capacidade para fazer atividades de lazer e a vida em geral. Percebe-se a necessidade de se pensar em estratégias que representem suporte profissional para a capacitação e desempenho de cuidados.

The Alzheimer's disease demands can influence the caregiver's daily life. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of cognitive, functional, and motor impairment of patients with Alzheimer's disease on the caregiver's quality of life. Method: This study included 27 participants with Alzheimer and their caregivers in a cross-sectional design. The Quality of Life-AD questionnaire assessed the caregiver's quality of life. The patient's cognition was rated by the Clinical Dementia Rating, the functionality by the Functional Independence Measure, mobility by the Timed Up and Go, and the muscle strength by the handgrip strength. The variables were analyzed in association by Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher's exact tests or by the Pearson or Spearman correlation tests, and the results were considered significant if p≤0.05. Result: An association was found between the cognition of the patient with Alzheimer and the caregiver's quality of life (p= 0.026) and a correlation was observed between the patient's functionality and the caregiver's quality of life (p= 0.031). Conclusion: The aspects of quality of life affected by cognition, function, and mobility are willingness, ability to do leisure activities and life in general. We conclude that developing strategies that provide the caregivers with professional support for proper training and care performance is essential.

Immediate analgesic effect of 2KHz interferential current in chronic low back pain: randomized clinical trial / Efeito analgésico imediato da corrente interferencial de 2KHz na dor lombar crônica: ensaio clínico randomizado

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Interferential current is widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of low back pain, but there is no literature consensus regarding its parameters. The objective of this study was to analyze the immediate effect of the 2KHz interferential current in chronic low back pain. METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial was previously approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Paraná, with the participation of 105 individuals with chronic low back pain (>12 weeks) of both genders. Participants were randomized in 3 groups: placebo group (PG, n=35), electrical stimulus off; interferential current1 (IG1, n=35), carrier frequency 2KHz, AMF of 2Hz, motor intensity level and IG2, n=35, carrier frequency 2KHz, AMF of 100Hz, sensory intensity level. All groups were subjected to a single application for 30 minutes with 4 electrodes in a crossed-shape position in the lumbar region. RESULTS: The visual analog scale, McGill pain scale, Oswestry Low Back disability questionnaire, Roland Morris disability questionnaire and Algometria of pressure were used for evaluation and revaluation. CONCLUSION: It may be noticed that by the visual analog scale and questionnaires, the interferential current provided an immediate analgesic effect in chronic lumbar pain regardless of the mode of stimulation.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A corrente interferencial é amplamente utilizada na prática clínica para o tratamento da dor lombar, porém não há consenso na literatura sobre seus parâmetros. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o efeito imediato da corrente interferencial de 2KHz na dor lombar crônica. MÉTODOS: Ensaio clínico, controlado randomizado, foi previamente aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal do Paraná. Participaram 105 indivíduos com dor lombar crônica (>12 semanas), de ambos os sexos. Os participantes foram randomizados em 3 grupos: grupo placebo (GP, n=35), estímulo elétrico desligado, grupo interferencial1 (GI1, n=35), frequência portadora de 2KHz, AMF de 2Hz, intensidade a nível motor e grupo interferencial2 (GI2, n=35), frequência portadora de 2KHz, AMF de 100Hz, intensidade a nível sensorial. Todos os grupos foram submetidos a uma única aplicação durante 30 minutos, com 4 eletrodos posicionados de maneira cruzada na região lombar. RESULTS: Para avaliação e reavaliação, foi utilizada a escala analógica visual, escala da dor de McGill, Questionário de dor lombar de Oswestry, Questionário de Incapacidade de Roland-Morris e Algometria de Pressão. CONCLUSÃO: Pode-se perceber que, pela escala analógica visual e pelos questionários, a corrente interferencial proporcionou efeito analgésico imediato na dor lombar crônica independentemente do modo de estimulação.