A Randomized Comparative Study between High-Intensity and Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain.

Ahmed M. Abodonya,Sayed A. Tantawy,Walid Kamal Abdelbasset,Anju Verma,Gopal Nambi,Antonella Fioravanti,Nahla N. Ataalla,Dalia M. Kamel,Ahmed A. Ibrahim,Samah A. Moawd,Ayman K. Saleh,Saud F. Alsubaie

doi:10.1155/2020/1350281

Abstract

Objectives Chronic nonspecific low back pain (chronic nsLBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders leading to disabilities and physical inactivity. Laser therapy was used in chronic nsLBP treatment; however, no previous studies have assessed the impacts of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) versus low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on chronic nsLBP. This study compared the effects of HILT versus LLLT on individuals suffering from chronic nsLBP. Methods The study was a randomized control trial. Sixty individuals with chronic nsLBP were enrolled in this study between May and November 2019. All participants were clinically diagnosed with chronic nsLBP. They were assigned randomly into three groups, 20 in each group. The first group received a program of LLLT, the second group received a program of HILT, and the third did not receive laser therapy (control group). Pain severity, disability, lumbar mobility, and quality of life were assessed before and after 12-week intervention. Results Both LLLT and HILT groups showed a significant improvement of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analogue scale (VAS), lumbar range of motion (ROM), and European Quality of Life (EuroQol) scores (p > 0.05), while the control group did not show significant changes (p > 0.05). Comparison among the three study groups postintervention showed significant differences in the outcome measures (p > 0.05), while comparison between the LLLT and HILT groups showed nonsignificant differences (p > 0.05). Conclusion There are no different influences of LLLT versus HILT on chronic nsLBP patients. Both LLLT and HILT reduce pain and disability and improve lumbar mobility and quality of life in chronic nsLBP patients.

Highlights

Chronic nonspecific low back pain is very common and prevalent among the population worldwide
All participants were clinically diagnosed with chronic nsLBP using clinical, laboratory, and radiological examinations. ey were assigned randomly into three groups using Dacima’s Randomization Software, 20 in each group. e first group received a program of low-level laser therapy (LLLT group) plus home exercise training, the second group received a program of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT group) plus home exercise training, and the third group conducted only home exercise training without laser therapy
Discussion is study aimed to evaluate the effects of HILT versus LLLT on patients with chronic nsLBP hypothesizing that laser therapy whether LLLT or HILT may relieve pain and improve quality of life in chronic nsLBP patients. e findings of this study showed that both LLLT and HILT result in a significant improvement of Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analogue scale (VAS), lumbar range of motion (ROM), and European Quality of Life (EuroQol) scores at the end of the study intervention

Summary

Introduction

Chronic nonspecific low back pain (chronic nsLBP) is very common and prevalent among the population worldwide. It is identified as pain remaining more than three months without unknown specific pathophysiology [1]. Two-thirds of the individuals are approximately affected several times throughout their lives [9]. It usually causes impairment in the QoL in patients with musculoskeletal system issues [10]. Initial aims of the LBP treatment are to decrease pain, allow patients to continue their activity daily live (ADL), and to improve QoL [5]

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Results