Lumbosciatic Syndrome: Vojta Therapy vs. TENS

To quantify pain, the investigators used two aggregated measures coming independently from the Visual Analogical Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry questionnaire.

The Oswestry questionnaire has a scale both for back pain and for lower leg pain.

VAS measures the intensity of pain subjectively described by the patient, with maximum reproducibility amongst observers. It consists in a graduated scale from 0 cm (extreme "no pain") to 10 cm (extreme "unbearable pain"), in which the patient establishes the point on the scale that best describes the intensity of the pain. It is universally used and relates well to descriptive scales, with good sensitivity and reliability

To measure the degree of disability the investigators used two aggregated measures coming independently from the Oswestry and Roland-Morris questionnaires (validated Spanish versions).

The Oswestry disability back pain questionnaire or Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), contains 10 items with 6 possible answers (0-1-2-3-4-5), from lowest to highest limitation. A clinically significant change was considered when improvement was at least 10%. It has a predictive value of the chronic degree of pain, duration of sick leave and resulting treatment. This scale is included in the highest level of methodological quality (level A) and has a correlation coefficient of 0.92.

The Roland-Morris questionnaire contains 24 questions relating to the patient's daily activities with a yes/no possible response. The final score is a punctuation from 0 to 24; the higher the score the greater the disability. Clinically relevant changes are considered with a difference of 2 to 5 points.

To evaluate the ability of bending the spine (or degree of restriction), the investigators used two aggregated measures coming independently from the Schöber Test and Fingertips to Floor Test.

Schöber Test: in a standing position, the L5 spinous process is located and marked. Then investigators then measure a distance of 10 cm towards the head and make another mark. The person is then asked to flex their torso and the length between both marks is recorded.

Fingertips to floor (FTF) test: the person stands with straight knees and feet separated to waist level. In this position, participants are asked to bend over as far as possible and the distance reached is measured.

to determine the existence of sciatic nerve compression, the investigators used the Lasègue manoeuvre. Whilst lying down, the patient lifts their leg with the knee straight. It is a positive sign if the leg hurts at an angle from 30-70º. To determine whether the damaged nerve root is L5 or S1 (motor weakness), the investigators analysed the patient walking on their heels and toes. If the most affected nerve root was L5, the patient had difficulty walking on their heels. If the difficulty is walking on their tiptoes, it was S1.