Efficacy of High-intensity Laser Acupuncture in Patients With Chronic, Non-specific Low Back Pain

Cairo University60 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of high-intensity laser acupuncture on peak torque, power of trunk extensors and flexors, back pain, range of motion, function, and satisfaction in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP).

Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP) is a persistent back pain that affects people of all ages and contributes to the global disease burden. Treatment focuses on reducing pain and its consequences. High-intensity laser therapy is a non-invasive, painless modality that can be easily administered for various conditions. It has been proven to significantly reduce pain, with anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous, and analgesic effects. Laser photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is a non-invasive and painless method that stimulates cells, pain receptors, and the immune system and can cause vasodilation and analgesic effects. Acupuncture is a common complementary therapy that has been proven to treat musculoskeletal pain and enhance muscle strength, and high-intensity laser acupuncture (HILA) has been promoted as an alternative to traditional needle acupuncture. HILA, as a non-invasive treatment, combines the efficacy of high-intensity laser and acupuncture in musculoskeletal pain management. Due to a lack of research, this study will examine the effects of HILA on peak torque and power of the trunk extensors and flexors, back pain, range of motion, function, and satisfaction in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Chronic Nonspecific Low-back Pain

Interventions

high-intensity laser acupuncture and Exercise therapy programDEVICE

The experimental group will receive high-intensity lasers and the treatment will be performed at 15 acupuncture points: unilateral GV3, GV4, and GV5, and bilateral BL 20, BL23, BL24, BL25, BL40 and GB30. Exercise therapy program The patients will perform an exercise therapy program in the form of: * strengthening exercises for abdominal and back muscles, * lumbar stabilization exercises. * stretching exercises.

Sham laser acupunctureOTHER

Sham laser acupuncture and exercise therapy program The patients will receive a sham laser.acupuncture and an exercise therapy program in the form of: * strengthening exercises for abdominal and back muscles, * lumbar stabilization exercises. * stretching exercises.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 20 YearsMax age: 40 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. The patients had CNSLBP with age from 20 to 40 years from both genders. 2. Patients will be referred from an orthopedist with diagnosis of chronic low back pain without underlying pathological causes. 3. The patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain more than 3months. Minimum pain intensity of 30 mm on the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, which ranges from 0 to 100 mm. 4. Patients with normal BMI ranges between 18.5:24.9 kg/m2. 5. The study populations must be willing to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: 1. Neurological, infectious diseases and systemic illness such as rheumatologic diseases,systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes mellitus type I or II. 2. Psychiatric/mental deficit. 3. Patients who had a previous surgical history (within 6 months) will also excluded. 4. participation in other treatment within the previous 3 month. 5. Pregnancy. 6. History of spinal fracture, tumor, osteoporosis 7. use of medication, such as corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, and anti-inflammatory drugs that may affect the outcome of the study. 8. prior history of adverse effects to physical stimulation therapy. 9. significant physical or mental deficiencies preventing a clear understanding of the study procedure. 10. spinal stenosis, thyroid dysfunctions, obesity, pace-maker.

Locations (1)

Doaa Ayoub Elimy

Giza, Egypt

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

peak torque

Isokinetic dynamometer will be used for measuring peak torque of back extensors and flexors.

Time frame: up to four weeks

peak torque

Isokinetic dynamometer will be used for measuring peak torque of back extensors and flexors..

Time frame: follow up after 1 month

Average Power

Isokinetic dynamometer will be used for measuring Average Power in watts for both back extensors and flexors.

Time frame: up to four weeks

Average Power

Isokinetic dynamometer will be used for measuring Average Power in watts for both back extensors and flexors.

Time frame: follow up after 1 month

Secondary Outcomes

Pain Intensity

Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) will be used by the patient to mark his/her level of pain between 0 to100 milliliters line. Zero usually represents 'no pain at all' whereas the upper limit represents 'the worst pain ever possible'.

Time frame: up to four weeks

Pain Intensity

Time frame: follow up after 1 month

lumbar flexion and extension ROM assessment

Modified-modified Schober test will be used to assess ROM of lumbar flexion and extension

Time frame: up to four weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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