Brazilian Journal of Pain
https://brjp.org.br/article/doi/10.5935/2595-0118.20220025-en
Brazilian Journal of Pain
Review Article

Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on muscle function in chronic low back pain patients: systematic review

Efeito da estimulação elétrica neuromuscular na função muscular em pacientes com dor lombar crônica: revisão sistemática

Alessandra Linzmeyer; Camila Amaral Coracini; Gladson Ricardo Flor Bertolini; Alberito Rodrigo Carvalho

http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/2595-0118.20220025-en BrJP, vol.5, n2, p.161-167, 2022
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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is one of the resources that can be used in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain. It is possible that issues related to the stimulation parameters may affect the results obtained with the use of these currents. Therefore, the aim of this review was to investigate the effects of NMES on aspects of lumbopelvic muscle function in individuals with chronic low back pain.

CONTENTS: The study is a systematic review that used 10 databases for the search through a comprehensive combination of descriptors that met the research question. The selection criteria based on the PICOT strategy were population - individuals with chronic low back pain (specific and/or non-specific); intervention - NMES; outcomes - paravertebral and/or abdominal muscle changes (muscle power and endurance). The articles were selected by two independent reviewers, who developed the tools for data extraction. Four articles were included in this review. In three of them, there was a significant increase in muscle strength and endurance, as well as muscle cross-sectional area in the group that received NMES compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION: NMES showed positive effects in optimizing aspects of muscle function in individuals with chronic low back pain. However, the methods employed are very heterogeneous, which made it impossible to perform a quantitative analysis.

Keywords

Electric stimulation therapy, Low back pain, Skeletal muscle

Resumo

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A estimulação elétrica neuromuscular (EENM) é um dos recursos que podem ser utilizados no tratamento de pacientes com dor lombar crônica. É possível que questões relacionadas aos parâmetros de estimulação possam afetar os resultados obtidos com o uso dessas correntes. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos da EENM em aspectos da função muscular da região lombopélvica em indivíduos com dor lombar crônica.

CONTEÚDO: Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática que utilizou 10 bases de dados para a busca por meio da combinação abrangente de descritores que atendessem a pergunta da investigação. Os critérios de seleção com base na estratégia PICOT foram: população - indivíduos com dor lombar crônica (específica e/ ou não específica); intervenção - EENM; desfechos – alterações musculares de paravertebrais e/ou abdominais (potência e resistência muscular). A seleção dos artigos foi feita por dois revisores independentes que elaboraram as ferramentas para extração dos dados. Ao todo, quatro artigos foram incluídos nesta revisão. Em três deles, houve aumento significativo de força e resistência muscular, assim como da área de secção transversa muscular no grupo que recebeu EENM, em relação ao controle.

CONCLUSÃO: A EENM apresentou efeitos positivos na otimização dos aspectos da função muscular em indivíduos com dor lombar crônica. Porém, os métodos empregados são muito heterogêneos, o que impossibilitou a realização da análise quantitativa.

Palavras-chave

Dor lombar, Musculoesquelético, Terapia por estimulação elétrica

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Submitted date:
12/09/2021

Accepted date:
04/12/2022

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