The effect of the duration of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on pain and functionality in the treatment of lumbar spondylosis.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate whether different durations of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), specifically 20 and 30 min, produce distinct effects on pain and functionality in individuals diagnosed with lumbar spondylosis.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted involving 42 patients with lumbar spondylosis. Participants were assigned to two treatment groups. In addition to therapeutic ultrasound, superficial heat therapy, and exercise, Group 1 received TENS for 20 min, whereas Group 2 underwent the same treatment protocol with a 30-min TENS application. Pain intensity and functional status were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) before treatment initiation and after completion of a 3-week intervention period. Outcomes were analyzed both within and between groups.

RESULTS

Following treatment, both groups exhibited significant reductions in VAS and ODI scores compared with baseline values (p<0.001). Comparison of treatment-related improvements revealed no significant differences between groups for either ΔODI or ΔVAS (p=0.052 and p=0.943, respectively). Although the between-group difference in ΔODI did not reach statistical significance, a moderate effect size favoring the 30-min TENS group was identified (Cohen's d=0.618). In contrast, the effect size for ΔVAS was minimal (Cohen's d=0.022).

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that extending TENS application from 20 to 30 min does not provide additional benefits in terms of pain relief or functional recovery in patients with lumbar spondylosis. Given the comparable clinical outcomes, a 20-min TENS protocol may represent a more practical and cost-conscious approach for managing lumbar spondylosis-related low back pain.