Efficacy and safety pulse magnetic field therapy in patients with chronic lower back pain

This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of pulse magnetic field therapy and conventional physical therapy in chronic lower back pain. 62 patients aged between 18-65 years with chronic mechanical back pain were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups of 31 and received treatment for 5 days a week for 3 weeks. First group received pulse magnetic field for 30 minutes with 38.0 mT intensity (0-166Hz frequency), the second group received 20 min hot pack, 20 min TENS (50-100 frequency and constant current, maximal current intensity tolerate by the patient was applied), 5 minutes Ultrasound, at the frequency of 1 Mhz, it was applied at a density of 1.5 w/cm2. All patients were given exercise program consisting of lumbar stabilization, flexion, extension, mobilization and stretching. Patients were evaluated before treatment, after treatment and at the 1st month post treatment by using visual analogue scale (VAS), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMEA), Revised Oswestry Low Back Pain Scale (ROBAS), lumbar flexion, extension, lateral flexion joint range of motion, and lomber schober measurements. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of age, height, body weight, body mass index values. A significant reduction was obtained in VAS pain scores (p <0.05), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire scores (p <0.05), Revised Oswestry Lower Back Pain Scale scores (p <0.05) in both groups at the 1st month after treatment and after the treatment has completed, however there was no significant diffrenece witihin the gropus themselves . While there was a significant increase in lumbar flexion, extension, lateral flexion joint range of motion and lomber schober measurements (p <0.05, there was no significant difference between the groups themselves. As a result, it has been shown that pulse magnetic field treatment in chronic low back pain provides clinical and functional improvement and is as effective as conventional therapy. Key words: Chronic Mechanical Lower Back Pain, Pulse Electromagnetic Field, Conventional Treatment