BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Interferential current is widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of low back pain, but there is no literature consensus regarding its parameters. The objective of this study was to analyze the immediate effect of the 2KHz interferential current in chronic low back pain. METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial was previously approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Paraná, with the participation of 105 individuals with chronic low back pain (>12 weeks) of both genders. Participants were randomized in 3 groups: placebo group (PG, n=35), electrical stimulus off; interferential current1 (IG1, n=35), carrier frequency 2KHz, AMF of 2Hz, motor intensity level and IG2, n=35, carrier frequency 2KHz, AMF of 100Hz, sensory intensity level. All groups were subjected to a single application for 30 minutes with 4 electrodes in a crossed-shape position in the lumbar region. RESULTS: The visual analog scale, McGill pain scale, Oswestry Low Back disability questionnaire, Roland Morris disability questionnaire and Algometria of pressure were used for evaluation and revaluation. CONCLUSION: It may be noticed that by the visual analog scale and questionnaires, the interferential current provided an immediate analgesic effect in chronic lumbar pain regardless of the mode of stimulation.

Objective: To compare and assess the immediate analgesic effects of conventional and burst transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: We conducted a three-arm single-blinded randomized controlled trial. A total of 105 patients with non-specific chronic low back pain aged between 18 and 85 years were randomly assigned into the following groups: Placebo Group (sham electrical stimulation), Conventional TENS Group (continuous stimulation at 100Hz for 100µs with sensory intensity), and Burst TENS Group (stimulation at 100Hz modulated at 2Hz for 100µs with motor-level intensity). All groups received a single application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for 30 minutes. The outcomes, namely, pain intensity, quality of pain, and pressure pain threshold were measured by the visual analog scale, McGill pain questionnaire, and algometry, respectively. The patients were evaluated before and immediately after the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation application. Results: Pain intensity (visual analog scale score) and quality of pain (McGill pain questionnaire score) significantly decreased (p<0.05) in Intervention Groups (Conventional TENS Group and Burst TENS Group). A positive effect was observed in the interventions compared to the Placebo Group in all domains of the McGill pain questionnaire (p<0.05), excepting for the pain intensity. Pressure pain threshold significantly increased (p<0.05) immediately after the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation application in both Intervention Groups, but not in the Placebo Group. For significant difference was found during assessment when comparing both Intervetion Group. Conclusion: Both transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation modes were effective for pain modulation. Moreover, there was an increase in the pressure pain threshold. No significant results were found to indicate the best mode for the treatment of chronic low back pain.

As demandas de cuidados na Doença de Alzheimer podem influenciar no cotidiano do cuidador.  Objetivo: Avaliar se o comprometimento cognitivo, funcional e motor do indivíduo com a doença influenciam na qualidade de vida do cuidador. Método: Estudo transversal, do qual participaram 27 indivíduos com Doença de Alzheimer e seus cuidadores. A qualidade de vida do cuidador foi avaliada pelo questionário Quality of Life-AD, a cognição do paciente foi verificada pela Clinical Dementia Rating, a funcionalidade pela Medida de Independência Funcional, mobilidade pelo Timed Up and Go e a força muscular pela força de preensão manual. A associação entre as variáveis foi realizada pelos testes Kruskal-Wallis e exato de Fisher ou pelos testes de correlação de Pearson ou Spearman, considerando p≤0,05. Resultado: Observou-se associação entre a cognição do indivíduo com Doença de Alzheimer e qualidade de vida do cuidador (p=0,026) e correlação entre a funcionalidade do paciente e qualidade de vida do cuidador (p=0,031). Conclusão: Os aspectos de qualidade de vida afetados pela cognição, função e mobilidade, são: disposição, capacidade para fazer atividades de lazer e a vida em geral. Percebe-se a necessidade de se pensar em estratégias que representem suporte profissional para a capacitação e desempenho de cuidados.