Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Acute Low Back Pain in EDs

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

Adults with acute low back pain presenting to the ED will be randomized to receive active TENS or a sham/FAKE TENS intervention. The study aims to see if non-pharmacological, painless electrical stimulation can reduce pain quickly when NSAIDs and muscle relaxants have limited benefit. TENS is applied via skin electrodes to activate specific nerves and may increase endorphin levels, potentially providing analgesia without systemic drugs. The trial will monitor pain levels and safety outcomes to determine if TENS is a viable option for ED management of this condition.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* = or \> 18 years old
* pain (EN \> 3) related to acute lower back pain in the emergency department.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Refusal to participate in the study, refusal to sign the informed consent form
* Consent cannot be obtained (cognitive impairment, language barrier, etc.)
* Patients with lower back pain lasting more than 6 weeks
* Taking immediate-release pain medication within the last 6 hours
* Taking extended-release pain medication within the last 12 hours
* Taking a muscle relaxant within the last 24 hours
* Pregnant women
* Patients requiring immediate medical attention (life-threatening situation)
* Patient already treated with TENS
* Patient with a body temperature \> 38°C
* Patient with a known spinal infection
* Lower back pain related to trauma
* Patient with a known systemic rheumatological or spinal disease
* Patient with a known systemic inflammatory disease
* Patient with a known chronic pain condition such as fibromyalgia
* Patient with pain radiating into the lower limb along the path of one of the following nerves (L3-L4-L5-S1)

Where it's running

• Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc
  Brussels, Belgium Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Charles Grégoire, MD
• Email: charles.gregoire@saintluc.uclouvain.be
• Phone: 0032497534996

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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.