Effects of Combining Diaphragm Training With TENS on Balance, Pain, and Function in Athletes With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: there is a lack of evidence about the effects of diaphragm training combined with TENS on balance, pain, and function in athletes with CLBP.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of combining diaphragm training with electrical stimulation on core stability, dynamic balance, pain, and function in young athletes with nonspecific CLBP.Design: Randomized clinical trialMethod: A total of 24 young adult athletes (12 women, 12 men) with non-specific CLBP were randomly allocated into experimental and control group. The experimental group received diaphragm training plus Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), while the control group received only TENS. Both groups underwent 12 sessions over a 4-week period. Static stability, dynamic balance, pain, and function were measured pre- and post-intervention.Results: Significant improvements in pain and function scores were found in both groups after completing the interventions. However, only the experimental group showed significant improvements in the static stability and dynamic balance post-intervention. The experimental group showed greater improvements in pain and static stability. No significant differences in function or dynamic balance were observed between the groups. Conclusions: The present study indicates that diaphragm training plus TENS can improve static stability, dynamic balance, function, and pain in young athletes with non-specific CLBP. It seems beneficial to add diaphragm training to rehabilitation programs for athletes with CLBP.The trial was retrospectively registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials on www.irct.ir (Identification number: IRCT20090228001719N8).