A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating Changes in Electrical Muscle Activity, Pain, and Function after Shockwave Therapy in Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: Pilot Study

Background. To investigate the effect of adding r-ESWT to a standard exercise program of chronic non-specific LBP on electrical muscle activity (EMG), pain and function. Materials and methods. Our single-blind randomized controlled trial enrolled 30 patients with chronic non-specific LBP randomly allocated to an r-ESWT (n=15) group and a control group (n=15). All patients received a standard exercise program, while r-ESWT was additionally administered in the r-ESWT group. EMG activity, pain and function were assessed before and after 6 weeks of treatment. Results. After treatment, all outcome measures were significantly different (p < 0.05). The addition of r-ESWT produced a significant increase in EMG activity (of all muscles tested) and a reduction in pain intensity and functional disability scores (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. Conclusions. 1. A standard intervention offered either alone or with r-ESWT increased EMG activities, reduced pain, and enhanced function in patients with chronic non-specific LBP. 2. Adding r-ESWT to the standard intervention program might produce better results.