TENS to relieve myofascial low back pain in adults.

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a prospective, open-label, single-arm self-controlled trial enrolling 40 adults with myofascial low back pain at Xijing Hospital. All participants will receive transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) five times per week for four consecutive weeks with stimulation set within a safe, tolerable range. Pain and function will be measured at baseline and weekly using the VAS, ODI, JOA, and SF-36, and adverse events will be recorded throughout the study. Patients with structural spinal disease, recent therapies that affect pain assessment, or significant systemic illness are excluded.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adults aged 18-65 years
2. Diagnosis consistent with myofascial low back pain (localized low back pain with a palpable taut band; referred pain and/or sensory changes near a specific trigger point; an identifiable tender spot within the taut band; mild muscle weakness and/or some limitation of joint range of motion)
3. Mild pain intensity at baseline (VAS \< 4 on a 0-10 scale)
4. Symptom duration \> 1 month
5. Able to understand the study procedures and demonstrate good compliance/cooperation
6. Written informed consent provided

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Low back pain due to other causes, including but not limited to lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, ankylosing spondylitis, spinal tumor, spinal tuberculosis, or spinal infection
2. Received physical therapy, interventional procedures, or medication treatment within 4 weeks prior to enrollment that may affect pain or function assessment
3. Systemic disease or organ dysfunction
4. Skin/soft tissue breakdown or infection at/near the planned treatment area
5. Use of sedative medications or opioid analgesics within 6 months prior to enrollment, or currently receiving other treatments that may affect study outcomes
6. Severe psychiatric disorder or inability to cooperate with study procedures
7. Pregnant or breastfeeding women

Where it's running

• Xjing hospital
  Xi'an, Shaanxi, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Bo Gao MD, PhD
• Email: gaobofmmu@hotmail.com
• Phone: 029-84775507

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.