Influence Of Electromagnetic Field Therapy Versus Acupuncture Dry Needle In Treatment Of Nonspecific Low Back Pain Patients: Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: low back pain affects about 60% to 90% of the working-age population in modern industrial society. Non-specific low back pain is mechanical low back pain of musculoskeletal origin in which symptoms vary with physical activities.

Objective of the study: to examine the electromagnetic field therapy versus acupuncture dry needle in treatment of nonspecific low back pain patients. Subjects and Methods: Thirty patients were assigned randomly in to 2 groups. Subjects in the first group (A) (n=15) with main age of 36.73(2.52) received magnetic field therapy and traditional physical therapy program (Infrared radiation, ultrasonic, stretching and strengthening exercises for back muscles), and the second group (B) (n = 15) with main age of 37.27(2.52) received acupuncture dry needle over trigger points of back muscles followed by stretching exercise. The following parameters including pain severity, functional disability and lumbar range of motion (flexion, extension, right side bending and left side bending) were measured before and after treatment. Results: Concerning to the within subject effect, the multiple pairwise comparison tests was used to compare between pre and post treatment in both groups, and it revealed that there was significant increase (p <0.05) in Range of flexion and extension and significant reduction (p<0.05) in pain severity, right and left side bending and functional disability at both groups post- treatment. Regarding between subject effects multiple pairwise comparisons revealed that there was no significant difference between both groups pre- treatment and post- treatment in pain severity, Range of flexion, Extension and in functional disability while there was significant reduction (p<0.05) in range right and left side bending at post- treatment in favor to group A compared to group B. Conclusion: on the basis of the present date, it is possible to conclude that both electromagnetic field therapy and acupuncture dry needle were effective in reducing pain severity and functional disability and improve range of motion in patients with nonspecific low back pain.