Acute low back pain with radiculopathy: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in patients with acute low back pain (LBP) with radiculopathy. Background Data: Acute LBP with radiculopathy is associated with pain and disability and the important pathogenic role of inflammation. LLLT has shown significant anti-inflammatory effects in many studies. Materials and Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed on 546 patients. Group A (182 patients) was treated with nimesulide 200mg/day and additionally with active LLLT; group B (182 patients) was treated only with nimesulide; and group C (182 patients) was treated with nimesulide and placebo LLLT. LLLT was applied behind the involved spine segment using a stationary skin-contact method. Patients were treated 5 times weekly, for a total of 15 treatments, with the following parameters: wavelength 904nm; frequency 5000Hz; 100-mW average diode power; power density of 20mW/cm2 and dose of 3J/cm2; treatment time 150 sec at whole doses of 12J/cm2. The outcomes were pain intensity measured with a visual analog scale (VAS); lumbar movement, with a modified Schober test; pain disability, with Oswestry disability score; and quality of life, with a 12-item short-form health survey questionnaire (SF-12). Subjects were evaluated before and after treatment. Statistical analyses were done with SPSS 11.5. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in all outcomes measured (p<0.001), but were larger in group A than in B (p<0.0005) and C (p<0.0005). The results in group C were better than in group B (p<0.0005). Conclusions: The results of this study show better improvement in acute LBP treated with LLLT used as additional therapy. Copyright 2010, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.