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Lasers in Medical Science
Published in: Lasers in Medical Science 4/2019

01-06-2019 | Original Article

Laser photobiomodulation is more effective than ultrasound therapy in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a comparative study

Authors: Sayed A. Tantawy, Walid K. Abdelbasset, Dalia M. Kamel, Saud M. Alrawaili, Saud F. Alsubaie

Published in: Lasers in Medical Science | Issue 4/2019

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of laser photobiomodulation therapy (lPBMt) and ultrasound therapy (UST) in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP). Forty-five patients with CNLBP aged 30–40 years were divided randomly into three groups of 15 subjects each. The lPBMt group received 8 weeks of lPBMt with an exercise program, while the UST group received 8 weeks of UST with the same exercise program; the control group received only the exercise program for 8 weeks. Pain, disability, functional performance, and lumbar range of motion were assessed at the beginning of the study and after 8 weeks. There were no significant differences in demographic and clinical characteristics among the three groups at baseline (p > 0.05). At the end of the study, there were significant improvements in pain, disability, and functional performance in the two experimental groups (p < 0.05), but changes in the control group were non-significant. However, lumbar range of motion was significantly improved only in the lPBMt group (p < 0.05). When the three groups were compared in terms of a change in clinical variables, there was a significant difference among the three groups in all measures in favor of lPBMt group. Based on our results, both lPBMt or UST combined with an 8-week exercise program seemed to be effective methods for decreasing pain, reducing disability, and increasing functional performance in patients with CNLBP, although lPBMt is more effective than UST.
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Metadata
Title
Laser photobiomodulation is more effective than ultrasound therapy in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a comparative study
Authors
Sayed A. Tantawy
Walid K. Abdelbasset
Dalia M. Kamel
Saud M. Alrawaili
Saud F. Alsubaie
Publication date
01-06-2019
Publisher
Springer London
Published in
Lasers in Medical Science / Issue 4/2019
Print ISSN: 0268-8921
Electronic ISSN: 1435-604X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-018-2665-8

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