DefinePK

Abstract

Background: Low back pain (LBP) remains one of the leading musculoskeletal conditions causing disability and work absenteeism worldwide. Non-pharmacological management strategies, including Shortwave Diathermy (SWD), are increasingly applied in clinical practice. Objective: To assess the effect of Shortwave Diathermy on pain intensity and functional disability in patients with low back pain at a physiotherapy rehabilitation center in Swabi. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Health & Wellness Physio Rehab Center, Swabi, with 32 participants aged 25 years and above. Pain intensity and disability were measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODI), respectively. Participants received a 4-week intervention protocol of Shortwave Diathermy combined with conventional physiotherapy. Pre- and post-treatment scores were analyzed using descriptive statistics, normality tests, and paired sample tests. Results: The study included 22 males (68.8%) and 10 females (31.3%), with the majority aged 46 years and above (78.1%). Pre-treatment, most participants (68.8%) reported severe pain (VAS 7– 10), and 65.6% were classified as crippled (ODI 61–80%). Following treatment, VAS scores improved from a mean of 2.59 (± 0.66) to 1.21 (± 0.42), and ODI scores from 3.59 (± 0.61) to 1.41 (± 0.50). The paired samples test revealed highly significant improvements (p < 0.001) in both pain and disability scores. Conclusion: Shortwave Diathermy, combined with conventional physiotherapy, effectively reduces pain and functional disability in patients with low back pain. It is a valuable adjunctive modality in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, especially in community-based physiotherapy setups.