Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Chronic Low Back Pain

Does Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Have an Additive Effect to Core Stabilization Exercises on Pain, Disability and Ultrasonographic Thickness of Abdominal and Lumbar Muscles in Chronic Low Back Pain?

This study evaluates whether there is additive effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation applied to lower lumbar region to core stabilization exercises in the management of chronic low back pain. Participants will randomly divide into two groups; half will receive core stabilization exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in combination, while the other half will receive core stabilization exercises and sham NMES.

Patients with low back pain cannot activate enough the deep lumbar stabilization muscles necessary for spinal stability, such as transversus abdominis, lumbar multifidus.

Core stabilization exercises are valuable in motor relearning of coactivation of deep lumbar and abdominal muscles and in stabilization of the spine. Hence, they are important in the management of chronic low back pain.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been used in the training and strengthening of skeletal muscles for many years. It is shown that NMES can contract deep lumbar stabilization muscles and changes in muscle activation are significantly associated with pain reduction in patients with low back pain.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years or older,
• Pain intensity greater than 3 over 10,
• Pain duration more than 3 months,
• Consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous lumbar surgery,
• Radiculopathy,
• Non-mechanical back pain,
• Acute low back pain