The effects of two different low level laser therapies in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain: A double-blinded randomized clinical trial


Doǧan Ş. K., Ay S., Evcik D.

Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol.30, no.2, pp.235-240, 2017 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 30 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2017
  • Doi Number: 10.3233/bmr-160739
  • Journal Name: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.235-240
  • Keywords: chronic low back pain, functional capacity, Low level laser therapy, pain severity
  • Lokman Hekim University Affiliated: No

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two different laser therapy regimens on pain, lumbar range of motions (ROM) and functional capacity in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). METHODS: Forty nine patients with CLBP were randomly assigned into two groups. Group 1 (n = 20) received hot-pack + laser therapy 1 (wavelength of 850 nm Gallium-Aluminum-Arsenide (Ga-Al-As) laser); group 2 (n = 29) received hot-pack + laser therapy 2 (wavelength of 650 nm Helyum-Neon (He-Ne), 785 ve 980 nm Gal-Al-As combined plaque laser) for 15 sessions. Pain severity, patient's and physician's global assessments were evaluated with visual analogue scale (VAS). Modified Schober test, right and left lateral flexion measurements were done. Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MODQ) was used for evaluation of functional disability. Measurements were done before and after the treatment. RESULTS: After treatment there were statistically significant improvements in pain severity, patient's and physician's global assessment, ROM and MODQscores inboth groups (P <0.05). Afterthetreatment there werestatisticallysignificant differences between the groups in lateral flexion measurements and MODQ scores (P < 0.05) except in pain severity, Modified Schober test, patient's and physician's global assessments (P > 0.05) in favor of those patients who received combined plaque laser therapy (group 2). CONCLUSION: Laser therapy applied with combined He-Ne and Ga-Al-As provides more improvements in lateral flexion measurements and disability of the patients, however no superiority of the two different laser devices to one another were detected on pain severity.