Abstract | BACKGROUND DATA:
Low back pain is a common, highly debilitating condition, whose severity is variable. This study evaluated the efficacy of treatment with Ga-Al-As diode laser (980 nm) with a large diameter spot (32 cm(2)), in association with exercise therapy, in reducing pain. OBJECTIVE: METHODS: This study evaluated 100 patients with CLBP (mean age 60 years) who were randomly assigned to two groups. The laser plus exercises group (Laser+EX: 50 patients) received low-level laser therapy ( LLLT) with a diode laser, 980 nm, with a specific handpiece [32 cm(2) irradiation spot size, power 20 W in continuous wave (CW), fluence 37.5J/cm(2), total energy per point 1200 J] thrice weekly, and followed a daily exercise schedule for 3 weeks (5 days/week). The exercises group (EX: 50 patients) received placebo laser therapy plus daily exercises. The outcome was evaluated on the visual analogue pain scale (VAS), before and after treatment. RESULTS: At the end of the 3 week period, the Laser+EX group showed a significantly greater decrease in pain than did the EX group. There was a significant difference between the two groups, with average Δ VAS scores of 3.96 (Laser+EX group) and 2.23 (EX group). The Student's t test demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the two groups, at p<0.001. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the use of diode laser (980 nm) with large diameter spot size, in association with exercise therapy, appears to be effective. Such treatment might be considered a valid therapeutic option within rehabilitation programs for nonspecific CLBP.
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Authors | Francesco Vallone, Stefano Benedicenti, Eugenio Sorrenti, Irene Schiavetti, Francesca Angiero |
Journal | Photomedicine and laser surgery
(Photomed Laser Surg)
Vol. 32
Issue 9
Pg. 490-4
(Sep 2014)
ISSN: 1557-8550 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 25141218
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Chronic Disease
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Exercise Therapy
- Female
- Humans
- Lasers, Semiconductor
- Low Back Pain
(therapy)
- Low-Level Light Therapy
(methods)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pain Measurement
- Treatment Outcome
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