1.The efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency intervention of the lumbar dorsal root ganglion in patients with chronic lumbar radicular pain
Anita Marliana ; Yudiyanta Siswohadiswasana ; Subagya Dipa Wiharja ; Ismail Setyopranoto ; Indarwati Setyaningsih ; Cempaka Thursina Srie ; Riky Setyawan ; Sholahuddin Rhatomy
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(2):124-129
Introduction: In recent years, pulsed radiofrequency (PR)
has been used as a minimally invasive pain intervention.
However, various studies on the efficacy of PR as modalities
for the treatment of radicular pain in lumbar disc herniation
have had varied results. Objective: This study aims to
determine the efficacy of PR in reducing radicular pain
among lumbar disc herniation patients compared with
conservative treatment.
Methods: This study was conducted using the before-andafter quasi experimental design. There were 50 subjects that
fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria and they were
divided into an intervention group (n=25) and control group
(n=25). The intervention group was given once PR in the
dorsal root ganglion. All subjects were assessed for Visual
Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)
before treatment, at 1- , 2- and 4-week after treatment.
Results: At1-, 2- and 4-week, the VAS reduction in the
intervention group was statistically significant compared to
the control group. Four weeks after the intervention, the VAS
score decreased in the intervention group (mean VAS -78.5,
SD 16.8) more significantly compared to the control group
(p<0.001). The ODI score decreased in the intervention
group (mean ODI -61.8, SD 20.1) more significantly than in
the control group (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Finding showed that at1- , 2- and 4-weekPR was
more efficacious in reducing radicular pain among lumbar
disc herniation patients compared to the conservative
therapy.