Aim: To evaluate whether active interferential current (AIC) before pilates exercises improves pain faster than placebo interferential current (PIC) in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP).
Methods: A total of 142 patients with CNLBP were treated with AIC or PIC before pilates exercises. Pain intensity was measured daily before and after treatment by Pain Numerical Rating Scale. Statistical analysis was performed using survival analysis for Kaplan-Meier method.
Results: The AIC group presented 30% reduction of pain one session, 50% reduction of pain two sessions and 100% reduction of pain three sessions faster than the PIC group and these improvements were statistically significant (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The AIC before pilates exercises can reduce pain faster than PIC in patients with CNLBP.
Keywords: back pain; chronic pain; electric stimulation therapy; exercise movement technics; interferential current; pilates method; placebo; speed of improvement; survival analysis.