Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey | [b] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Turkish Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, Ankara, Turkey
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Dilek Durmus, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey. Tel.: +90 362 312 19 19 3091; Fax: +90 362 4576041; E-mail: drdilekdurmus@yahoo.com
Abstract: Objective:The aim of this trial was to investigate the effect of therapeutic microwave diathermy (MD) on pain, disability, trunk muscle strength, walking performance, mobility, quality of life (QOL), and depression in the patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods:A total of 39 patients were included in this study. The patients were randomized into two groups. Group 1 (n=19) received MD treatment and exercises. Group 2 (n=20) was given only exercises. The pain (visual analog scale), disability (Oswestry Disability Questionnaire and pain disability index), walking performance (6 minute walking test, 6MWT), depression and QOL (Short Form 36) of all participants were evaluated. Patients were assessed before treatment (BT), after treatment (AT), and at a 1-month follow-up (F). Results:The patients with CLBP in each group had significant improvements in pain, disability, muscle strength, endurance, 6MWT, mobility, QOL, and depression AT and F when compared with their initial status. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the change scores between AT–BT test and F–BT test. Conclusion:Since a 2,450-MHz MD showed no beneficial effects on clinical parameters, exercise program could be preferable for the treatment of patients with CLBP alone.
Keywords: Chronic low back pain, microwave diathermy, trunk muscle strength, pain, disability, endurance, quality of life, depression
