Outcome of shortwave diathermy and Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation with exercise versus exercise alone in treatment of low back pain

Low back pain refers to an uncomfortable sensation in the lower back and buttock area caused by injuries or irritation to nerves near the spinal canal. When this condition continues for over three months, it is labeled as chronic lower back pain. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of short wave diathermy with exercise, Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation with exercise and exercise alone among patients with chronic low back pain. Thesis is an observational study in 75 patients between the ages of (20 – 50) years. The patients diagnosed by clinician before starting treatment. The participants are divided into three groups: group A 25 patients who underwent transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and exercises, group B 25 patients who underwent continuous short wave and exercises, group C 25 patients who underwent just exercise. While short wave, TENS therapy and exercise are applied at Rizgari Teaching Hospital and Erbil teaching Hospital. The results showed that all three interventions were statistically significant effective in reducing pain and improving physical activities, with varying degrees of success. Because the p-values of all three groups are less than the significant level of α=0.05. But also the result showed that the mean difference for short wave with exercise is much higher than both (TENS with exercise) and (exercise alone) type of interventions in each of the different categories, respectively. This study has shown that shortwave with exercise is more effective in the treatment of chronic low back pain than TENS with exercise and exercise alone.