Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Science

Background: Sciatica is a common clinical condition that can be extremely painful, disabling and life changing. An important component of conservative treatment is physiotherapy, which aims to promote physical and psychological health for the patient. Purpose of this study: This study aims to find out the effectiveness of adding interferential current therapy to conventional physiotherapy treatment and to compare with conventional physiotherapy treatment only in patients with chronic discogenic sciatica. Subjects and methods: Sixty patients (22 males and 38 females). Their mean age, height, weight and body mass index were (36.23±3.82) years, (171.43±6.93) cm, (76.6±6.86) kg and (26.1±2.49) kg/m2 respectively participated in this study. They were classified randomly into two groups of equal number. Experimental group received interferential current therapy combined with conventional physiotherapy program while control group received conventional physiotherapy program only, 3 times/ week for 4 weeks. Outcome measures: back and leg pain intensity, functional disability, range of motion of hip flexion and H-reflex, assessment done before and after treatment program. Results: Statistical interpretation of results for both groups showed significant improvement in all variables in both groups for best results for experimental group. Conclusion: Adding interferential current therapy to conventional physiotherapy has a positive effect on treating sciatic patients

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