J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2010 Dec;34(6):725-729.

Effect of Repetitive Magnetic Stimulation and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study

• Kim J
• Yoon SH
• Rah UW
• Cho KH
• Hong J

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the short and medium effect of peripheral repetitive magnetic stimulation therapy on chronic low back pain compared with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy. METHOD: Twenty-three subjects with chronic low back pain were allocated randomly to repetitive magnetic stimulation group (n=13) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group (n=10). Each treatment consisted of 10-minutes sessions each day, totally 10 sessions over 2 weeks. Subjects were evaluated pre-treatment and post-treatment at 8 hours and 2 weeks. Outcome was measured with the Oswestry disability index, McGill pain questionnaire, and daily mean pain numeric rating scale.
RESULTS
At 8 hours and 2 weeks post-treatment, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy group showed a significant improvement in the mean pain numeric rating scale. Two weeks post-treatment, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy group showed a significant improvement in the Oswestry disability index. But there were no significant therapeutic effect of repetitive magnetic stimulation therapy group at all period.
CONCLUSION
This study showed that repetitive magnetic stimulation therapy may be less effective than transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy for the treatment of chronic low back pain.

Keyword

Low back pain; Magnetic stimulation; Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

MeSH Terms

Low Back Pain
Magnetic Field Therapy
Magnetics
Magnets
Pain Measurement
Pilot Projects
Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation