Clinical Pain

Korean Association of Pain Medicine (대한임상통증학회)
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Efficacy of Portable Low Power Laser Therapy on Pain and Functions in Chronic Low Back Pain

만성 요통 환자에서의 휴대용 저출력 레이저 치료기의 통증 및 기능 효과

  • Cho, Yeon Wook (Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Gil Medical Center) ;
  • Kim, Tae Hee (Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, On Hospital) ;
  • Lim, Oh Kyung (Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Ju Kang (Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Ki Deok (Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine)
  • 조연욱 (가천대학교 길병원 재활의학과) ;
  • 김태희 (부산 온종합병원 재활의학과) ;
  • 임오경 (가천대학교 의과대학 재활의학교실) ;
  • 이주강 (가천대학교 의과대학 재활의학교실) ;
  • 박기덕 (가천대학교 의과대학 재활의학교실)
  • Received : 2020.04.27
  • Accepted : 2020.05.20
  • Published : 2020.06.30
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Abstract

Objective: A prospective, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted in patients with chronic low back pain to evaluate the efficacy of portable low power laser therapy (LPLT) and the effect when combined with exercise therapy on pain and functions. Method: 60 patients were recruited and 56 patients, excluding 4 dropouts, were randomly allocated to the LPLT group (Group 1: 19 patients), placebo laser therapy with exercise group (Group 2: 18 patients), and LPLT with exercise group (Group 3: 19 patients). Laser therapy and exercise was performed five times a week for 4 weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Schober test, lumbar range of motion (ROM) measures (flexion, extension and lateral flexion), Oswestry Disability index (ODI) were measured at baseline, at 4 weeks after intervention, and at 6 weeks after 2 weeks of no intervention. Results: Statistically significant improvements were noted in all group by time interaction with respect to all outcome parameters (p<0.05). All parameters in each group improved not only in the period of treatment (4 weeks), but also in the final evaluation (6 weeks) 2 weeks after the end of treatment. Post-hoc analysis showed statistically significant difference between the LPLT with exercise group and the other groups in all outcome parameters except for the ODI at 4 weeks and at 6 weeks. Conclusion: Portable LPLT is effective treatment in reducing pain and improving lumbar ROM and with exercise is more effective than laser or exercise monotherapy for the chronic low back pain patients.

Keywords

References

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