Brazilian Journal of Pain
https://brjp.org.br/article/doi/10.63231/2595-0118.20250038-en
Brazilian Journal of Pain
Original Article

Comparison of the effects of two intensities of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on muscle endurance in individuals with nonspecific low back pain: preliminary randomized trial

Comparação dos efeitos de duas intensidades de estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea na resistência muscular em indivíduos com dor lombar inespecífica: ensaio preliminar randomizado

Vanessa Pavanate; Thiago Pereira Aguiar; Luiza Roberta Contezini; Alexandre Márcio Marcolino; Rafael Inácio Barbosa; Alessandro Haupenthal; Kelly Mônica Marinho e Lima

http://dx.doi.org/10.63231/2595-0118.20250038-en BrJP, vol.8, e20250038, 2025
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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is used as low back pain (LBP) treatment, enabling pain control and better muscle endurance. The intensity of “strong but comfortable” has been described as more effective but it is not always tolerated by all patients in clinical practice. To date, no studies have been found comparing two intensities of TENS to increase exercise tolerance in the same session. Therefore, this study aims to compare the effects of low and high intensities (LI and HI, respectively) on muscular endurance and, secondarily, on pain, kinesiophobia and disability in individuals with non-specific LBP.

METHODS: This is a randomized and double-blinded clinical trial. Sixteen individuals were divided into LI (n =7) and HI (n = 9) groups. The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index, supine bridge test, and TAMPA scale were used to collect data regarding pain, disability, muscle resistance, and kinesiophobia, respectively. 

RESULTS: An increase in muscular endurance and a temporary reduction in pain were observed in both groups post-intervention (p<0.05). No significant differences exist between time and groups (p>0.05) regarding kinesiophobia. Oswestry scale (disability) demonstrated lower values in follow-up compared to baseline.

CONCLUSION: TENS improved muscular endurance performance in both groups. One session of TENS applied in high and low intensities reduced pain in patients with nonspecific low back pain. At follow-up, kinesiophobia did not change compared with baseline, but disability was reduced in both groups.

Keywords

Analgesia; Kinesiophobia; Low Back Pain; Physical Endurance; Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Resumo

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea (TENS) é utilizada no tratamento da dor lombar (DL), permitindo o controle da dor e a melhora da resistência muscular. A intensidade “intensa, mas confortável” tem sido descrita como mais eficaz, mas nem sempre é tolerada por todos os pacientes na prática clínica. Até o momento, não foram encontrados estudos que comparassem duas intensidades de TENS para aumentar a tolerância a exercícios na mesma sessão. Assim, este estudo tem como objetivo comparar os efeitos de baixa e alta intensidades (LI e HI, respectivamente) na resistência muscular e, secundariamente, na dor, cinesiofobia e incapacidade em indivíduos com DL inespecífica.

MÉTODOS: Este é um ensaio clínico randomizado e duplo-cego. Dezesseis indivíduos foram divididos em grupos LI (n=7) e HI (n=9). A Escala de Avaliação Numérica (NRS), o Índice de Incapacidade de Oswestry, o teste da ponte supina e a escala TAMPA foram usados para coletar dados sobre dor, incapacidade, resistência muscular e cinesiofobia, respectivamente.

RESULTADOS: Foi observado um aumento da resistência muscular e uma redução temporária da dor em ambos os grupos no pós-intervenção (p<0,05). A Escala de Oswestry (incapacidade) demonstrou valores menores no follow up em comparação ao basal.

CONCLUSÃO: A TENS melhorou o desempenho da resistência muscular em ambos os grupos. Uma sessão de TENS aplicada em alta e baixa intensidades reduziu a dor em pacientes com lombalgia inespecífica. No follow up, a cinesiofobia não se alterou em comparação ao basal, mas a incapacidade foi reduzida em ambos os grupos.

Palavras-chave

Analgesia; Cinesiofobia; Dor lombar; Estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea; Resistência física

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Submitted date:
05/19/2025

Accepted date:
07/08/2025

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