A Comparative Study of the Efficacy between Self-controlled Energo-Neuro-Adaptive Regulator and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Whiplash Injury
A Comparative Study of the Efficacy between Self-controlled
Energo-Neuro-Adaptive Regulator and Transcutaneous Electrical
Nerve Stimulation for Whiplash Injury
Jaesung Han, Inbo Han
Department of Neurosurgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea
Objective: Self-Controlled Energo-Neuro-Adaptive Regulator (SCENAR) device was introduced in 2006 as an alternative electrotherapy for pain in Korea. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of SCENAR standing for SCENAR in patients with subacute neck pain following a rear-end collision.
Methods: A randomized and controlled prospective study was conducted on 60 patients with neck pain following rear-end collision between the ages of 20 to 50 years. Written informed consent was obtained and participants were randomly allocated to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and SCENAR therapy. The treatment regimen included 20-min
treatment sessions for 4 weeks (3 times per week). Therapeutic effects were evaluated at each of the assessment points (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks) using a visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores and neck disability index (NDI) scores.
Results: Eligible participants (n=70) were recruited between March 2014 and July 2015. Final trial sample (n=60) compromised 32 within the SCENAR group and 28 TENS group. The SCENAR group showed superior pain reduction compared with TENS (SCENAR: initial mean VAS score; 6.3, final mean VAS score; 2.1, TENS: initial mean VAS score; 6.2, finalmean VAS score; 3.7). Sixteen week NDI scores showed the disability level of the SCENAR group (9.5) was significantly lower than that of the TENS group (14.3).
Conclusion: SCENAR therapy provided a significant reduction in the intensity of neck pain (VAS) and disability (NDI) compared with TENS group. SCENAR therapy is superior to the TENS therapy in reducing and disability for whiplash injury.
Key Words: Whiplash, Pain, SCENAR, TENS