Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) for low back pain

Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement
Record ID 32003000559
English
Authors' objectives:

This review aims to assess the available evidence on the effectiveness of intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) for low back pain.

Authors' recommendations: With regard to Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy (IDET) for Low Back Pain the ICSI Technology Assessment Committee finds: There is no convincing evidence that shows the short or long-term clinical efficacy of this procedure. Only subjective outcomes from case series and one non-randomized trial have been reported. Blinded, randomized studies comparing the procedure to a placebo treatment or alternative treatments such as spinal fusion have not been done and are needed to develop any conclusion about efficacy of the procedure (Conclusion Grade III). The procedure is acceptably safe when performed by a physician trained in IDET, experienced in the diagnosis and management of low back pain, and experienced in the placement of needles into the intravertebral disk. Short-term studies have indicated few adverse effects of IDET, but information on long-term effects is limited. The long-term effects of thermal coagulation of the disk are unknown at this time.
Authors' methods: Review
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2002
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: United States
MeSH Terms
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy
  • Electrocoagulation
  • Low Back Pain
  • Hot Temperature
Contact
Organisation Name: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement
Contact Address: 8009 34th Avenue South, Suite 1200, Bloomington, MN, USA. Tel: +1 952 814 7060; Fax: +1 952 858 9675
Contact Name: icsi.info@icsi.org
Contact Email: icsi.info@icsi.org
Copyright: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.