Abstract
Background: Chronic non-specific low-back pain (LBP) is one of the most common and expensive musculoskeletal
disorders in industrialized countries. Similar to other countries in the world, LBP is a common health and
socioeconomic problem in Iran. One of the most widely used modalities in the field of physiotherapy for treating
LBP is therapeutic ultrasound. Despite its common use, there is still inconclusive evidence to support its
effectiveness in this group of patients. This randomised trial will evaluate the effectiveness of continuous
ultrasound in addition to exercise therapy in patients with chronic LBP.
Methods and design: A total of 46 patients, between the ages 18 and 65 years old who have had LBP for more
than three months will be recruited from university hospitals. Participants will be randomized to receive continuous
ultrasound plus exercise therapy or placebo ultrasound plus exercise therapy. These groups will be treated for 10
sessions during a period of 4 weeks. Primary outcome measures will be functional disability and pain intensity.
Lumbar flexion and extension range of motion, as well as changes in electromyography muscle fatigue indices, will
be measured as secondary outcomes. All outcome measures will be measured at baseline, after completion of the
treatment sessions, and after one month.
Discussion: The results of this trial will help to provide some evidence regarding the use of continuous ultrasound
in chronic LBP patients. This should lead to a more evidence-based approach to clinical decision making regarding
the use of ultrasound for LBP.
Trial registration: Netherlands Trial Register (NTR
electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) [9,11,12].