Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on pain and functional disability in patients with early-stage lumbar spondylolysis: A randomized controlled trial

Fahad Tanveer,Syed Asadullah Arslan,Haider Darain,Ashfaq Ahmad,Syed Amir Gilani,Asif Hanif

doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2022.02.025

Fahad Tanveer, Syed Asadullah Arslan + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2022.02.025

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Abstract

BackgroundLow Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS) is beneficial in accelerating fracture recovery, enhancing their capacity to execute tasks of daily life and, as a result, their autonomy. ObjectiveTo compare the outcomes of routine physical therapy and routine physical therapy along with LIPUS in patients with early-stage lumbar spondylolysis. MethodsThirty-four (29 males and 5 females) patients exhibiting symptomatic low back pain for at least four weeks were recruited and randomly divided into control group (CG) and intervention group (IG) group. Randomization was done by using goldfish bowl method and allocation was done by using sealed envelope method. Parallel assignment was done. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) was utilized for the measurement of pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for functional disability. Patients were assessed at baseline, at the end of 12th and 20th week. Interventions were applied by two physical therapists (one male and one female) having more than eight years of clinical experience for 10 weeks on alternate days. ResultsIntervention group reported significant percentage change of 47% at 12th week and 65% at 20th week for pain and 42% at 12th week and 81% at 20th week for functional disability compared with 40% at 12th week and 37% at 20th week for pain and 3% at 12th week and 25% at 20th week follow-up for functional disability from baseline in control group. ConclusionLow-intensity pulsed ultrasound has significantly reduced pain and functional disability in patients with early-stage lumbar spondylolysis by using following parameters; 1.1-MHz oscillation frequency, 1-kHz pulsed frequency, 100-mW/cm2 spatial intensity, 2 ms pulse duration, 100Hz pulse repetition rate, 20% pulse duty cycle, and 20-min duration on alternate days.

Highlights

Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS) is beneficial in accelerating fracture recovery, enhancing their capacity to execute tasks of daily life and, as a result, their autonomy
LIPUS group reported greater reduction in pain with mean change of 3.18 points at 12th week, 6.18 points at 20th week follow-up and functional disability with mean change of 28.24 points at 12th week and 39.47 points at 20th week follow-up compared with the Routine Physical Therapy (RPT) group
LIPUS group was treated by low intensity pulsed ultrasound along with routine physical therapy whereas RPT group by routine physical therapy alone

Summary

Introduction

Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS) is beneficial in accelerating fracture recovery, enhancing their capacity to execute tasks of daily life and, as a result, their autonomy. Methods: Thirty-four (29 males and 5 females) pre-diagnosed patients referred by an orthopaedic surgeon exhibiting symptomatic low back pain for at least four months were recruited and randomly divided into LIPUS group and Routine Physical Therapy (RPT) group. Spondylolysis, a stress fracture of the pars interarticularis of the vertebral arch can affect either the left or right side of the bone. The acuity of the fracture line or bony defect can be divided into 3 stages: early, progressive, and terminal. A hairline fracture can be seen in the early stages. Half of all low back pain cases in young athletes have been attributed to spondylolysis [3]

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