RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Electrotherapy, including theTENS and interferential current (IFC) is one of the most frequently used treatments in physical therapy in patients with low back pain. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of TENS and IFC on pain relief and to compare the analgesic efficacy of the two currents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty patients aged 53.5 ± 12.5, with low back pain, were randomly divided into two groups: IFC (gr. I) and TENS (gr. II). Depending on the groups, patients were given series of ten 20-minute sessions using either IF orTENS currents. In all patients VAS and Laitinen modified scale were taken before and after treatment. RESULTS: After 2-weeks therapy there was improvement in the VAS and Laitinen scale (all components) in both groups, except for the part of the Laitinen scale on the reduction of activity in the group II (TENS). There was no statistically significant difference between the TENS and IF groups in reducing the intensity and other aspects of pain (frequency, pain medication and activity limitation) under the influence of therapy (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Interferential current and TENS therapy are effective for pain relief in patients with low back pain. The study showed equal analgesic efficacy of both treatments.