The effect of low intensity pulsed magnetic field radiation on pain, lumbar range of motion and lumbar disability in patients with neuropathic pain.

(1) Objectives: The aim of the present study is investigation of the effects of low intensity pulsed magnetic field on radicular pain, active range of motion of lumbar spine and disability in patient with lumbar radicular pain. (2) Design: This is a randomized clinical trial on 24 radicular pain patients which will be divided to two groups (physiotherapy with and without magnet radiation) randomly. The patient will not aware about she/his group. (3) Setting and conduct: a) The patients will divided to two groups randomly: group 1 with a routine physiotherapy protocol for 10 sessions (3 sessions each week) included transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS), hot pack for 20 minutes and routine exercises for lumbar region. The same physiotherapy protocol will execute for group 2 but 30 minutes of low intensity pulsed magnet radiation with pulse frequency of 50 pulse per second and intensity of 80 G (Gauss) will add to the protocol. Pain will be measured in each session based on visual analog scale (VAS) but active range of motion of lumbar spine and disability index will be measured in 1ST, 5th and 10th sessions. Active range of lumbar spine flexion and extension will be measured based on modified-modified Schober test and active lateral bending range of motion will be measured based on the measurement the distant of middle finger from the ground. Ostwestry questionnaire will be used for disability index. The variables will be compared before and after physiotherapy for each group and also between groups. (4) Participants: Lumbar radicular pain patients. Inclusion criteria: Age between 20-50; evidence of lumbar radiculopathy based on presence of sharp and shooting permanent or intermittent radicular pain in buttock or thigh or leg of one side associated with one of the following features: pain evoked by straight leg raising (SLR) test under 60 degree or positive prone knee bending test or MRI with evidences of lumbar radiculopathy. Exclusion criteria: Patients with pacemaker; pregnancy or breast-feeding; pain attributable to inflammation or infection; spondylolisthesis grade 2 and more; numbness and pain because of diabetic polyneuropathy or peripheral vascular disease; history of surgery in spinal column; piriformis syndrome; steroid injection; having other rehabilitation treatment during the present research; If the patient dose not complete the physiotherapy program and missing the sessions for more than two. The patient will stop his/she program any time he/she wants. (5) Intervention: Two routine physiotherapy protocols with and without low intensity pulsed magnetic field for 10 sessions. (6) Variables: The main variables are pain, active lumbar range of motion and disability index.

Vice chancellor for research of Iran University of Medical Sciences