F-1-02-01
A Double Blind Control Study of the Use of Micro-current Electrical Stimulation (MES) for Chronic Pain Treatment
Trilok N. Monga; Gabriel Tan; Teresa A. Kessel; Betty Baer; John Thornby; Henry J. Ostermann; Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Baylot College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
Purpose: To evaluate Micro-current Electrical Stimulation (MES) in management of chronic pain.
Methods: Ten patients with chronic intractable pain not responding to other treatment modalities participated in a double blind control, cross over study. The two treatment conditions were real (MES) and sham (placebo). MES was applied to local pain sites as well as through ear electrodes (cranial electrical stimulation). Patients were treated three times a week for four weeks. Two months wash out period followed each treatment condition. Each treatment session lasted for about 45 minutes. Patients completed a self rating of pain severity visual analog scale before and after each treatment session. The Multidimensional Pain Inventory was administered before starting and at completion of each treatment condition and at the end of the wash out period. Range of motion and medication use were monitored during the study.
Results: There were nine male and one female patients. Mean age was 55.6 years (range 45-68 years). Patients identified varied pain sites, most common site was low back ache. No significant differences were noted between the two treatment conditions in regards to their effects on self rating of pain, psycho-social impact of pain, use of pain medications and range of motion in effected joints.
Conclusion: For this select group of patients the MES does not appear to be superior than placebo in pain control and psycho-social functioning.
F-1-02-02
THE EFFECT OF LOW INTENSITY Nd: YAG LASER RADIATION ON MUSCULOSKELETAL BACK PAIN
Jeffrey R. Basford, CG Sheffield, KR Cieslak (Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN, USA
Low intensity laser radiation is widely used to treat musculoskeletal injury, lessen pain and reduce inflammation. However, despite this use, effectiveness remains controversial and this therapy has yet to gain FDA approval for clinical use in the U.S.. This study examines this dicotomy by studying the effectiveness of laser therapy on a common musculoskeletal condition. In particular, we performed a double blind, randomized and controlled evaluation of effect of Nd: YAG 1.06 um IR radiation on 66 individuals with low back pain of more than one month's duration. All subjects had a normal neurological examination, lumbar spine radiographs compatible with a benign cause of their pain, and no radicular symptoms. Subjects were randomized into two groups which were both "irradiated" three times a week for four weeks at 4 symmetric points along the lumbrosacral paraspinal muscles. The groups differed only in that one received 414 mW/cm2 (37.26 J/cm2) of CW Nd: YAG 1.06 um irradiation at each treatment site and the other identical treatment with the laser inactivated. Subjects were evaluat9d at the beginning, midpoint, and end of treatment as well as four weeks after their last irradiation. This study is now underway. The effects of treatment on pain, tenderness, mobility, and Oswestry scores will be reported.
