The effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on lumbar range of motion and lumbar fascia characteristics in healthy individuals

Objectives

To investigate the effect of Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on lumbar fascia thickness, lumbar flexion angle, and lumbar curvature in healthy people.

Design

Randomized, clinical trial.

Subjects

100 healthy individuals.

Interventions

Participants were randomized into the active TENS group (n = 50) and placebo TENS group (n = 50). Subjects received 10 sessions of TENS in the lumbar region for 2 weeks.

Main measures

Lumbar fascia thickness, lumbar flexion angle, and lumbar curvature examined by ultrasonography, flexible ruler, and spinal mouse three times (before and after the intervention sessions, and two weeks after the last intervention session-follow up)

Results

Subjects in the TENS group showed a significant reduction in lumbar fascia thickness (P ≤ 0.002), an increase in lumbar flexion angle (P = 0.000), and an increase in lumbar curvature angle (P = 0.000) before and after the intervention sessions. The results of the follow-up evaluations showed the stability of the changes in the mentioned variables.

Conclusion

The improvements in the lumbar fascia thickness and lumbar flexibility suggest that TENS may be effective in healthy subjects. Data indicate that biomechanical properties of lumbar fascia and lumbar flexibility are directly linked, and other mechanisms could be more influential in contributing to improvement.