In recent decades, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been widely used to relieve pain caused by different musculoskeletal disorders.
The 'range of
motion', may or may not be a governing characteristic for nonspecific chronic
low back pain. This review has provided well-suited current insight on
low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for the treatment of this low back pain.
In recent
decades, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been widely used to relieve pain
caused by different musculoskeletal disorders. Though widely used, its reported
therapeutic outcomes are varied and conflicting. Results similarly conflict
regarding its usage in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain
(NSCLBP). This study investigated the efficacy of low-level laser therapy
(LLLT) for the treatment of NSCLBP by a systematic literature search with
meta-analyses on selected studies.
MEDLINE, EMBASE,
ISI Web of Science and Cochrane Library were systematically searched from
January 2000 to November 2014. Included studies were randomized controlled
trials (RCTs) written in English that compared LLLT with placebo treatment in
NSCLBP patients. The efficacy effect size was estimated by the weighted mean
difference (WMD). Standard random-effects meta-analysis was used, and
inconsistency was evaluated by the I-squared index (I2).
Of 221 studies,
seven RCTs (one triple-blind, four double-blind, one single-blind, one not
mentioning blinding, totaling 394 patients) met the criteria for inclusion.
Based on five studies, the WMD in visual analog scale (VAS) pain outcome score
after treatment was significantly lower in the LLLT group compared with placebo
(WMD = -13.57 [95 % CI = -17.42, -9.72], I2 = 0 %). No significant treatment
effect was identified for disability scores or spinal range of motion outcomes.
Our findings
indicate that LLLT is an effective method for relieving pain in NSCLBP
patients. However, there is still a lack of evidence supporting its effect on
function.
Arthritis Res Ther. 2015 Dec 15;17:360
The effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for nonspecific chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis
ZeYu Huang et al.
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