Effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation on Low Back Pain in People with Chronic Unspecific Dorsal Pain: A Meta-Analysis of Individual Patient Data from Randomized Controlled WB-EMS Trials

Abstract EN

In order to evaluate the favorable effect of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) on low back pain (LBP), an aspect which is frequently claimed by commercial providers, we performed a meta-analysis of individual patient data.

The analysis is based on five of our recently conducted randomized controlled WB-EMS trials with adults 60 years+, all of which applied similar WB-EMS protocols (1.5 sessions/week, bipolar current, 16–25 min/session, 85 Hz, 350 μs, and 4–6 s impulse/4 s impulse-break) and used the same pain questionnaire.

From these underlying trials, we included only subjects with frequent-chronic LBP in the present meta-analysis.

Study endpoints were pain intensity and frequency at the lumbar spine.

In summary, 23 participants of the underlying WB-EMS and 22 subjects of the control groups (CG) were pooled in a joint WB-EMS and CG.

At baseline, no group differences with respect to LBP intensity and frequency were observed.

Pain intensity improved significantly in the WB-EMS (p<.001) and was maintained (p=.997) in the CG.

LBP frequency decreased significantly in the WB-EMS (p<.001) and improved nonsignificantly in the CG (p=.057).

Group differences for both LBP parameters were significant (p≤.035).

We concluded that WB-EMS appears to be an effective training tool for reducing LBP; however, RCTs should further address this issue with more specified study protocols.