The effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for nonspecific chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Huang, ZeYu

Ma, Jun

Chen, Jing

Shen, Bin

Pei, FuXing

Kraus, Virginia Byers

England

2016-02-01T18:30:04Z

2015-12-15

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been widely used to relieve pain caused by different musculoskeletal disorders. Though widely used, its reported therapeutic outcomes are varied and conflicting. Results similarly conflict regarding its usage in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). This study investigated the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for the treatment of NSCLBP by a systematic literature search with meta-analyses on selected studies. METHOD: MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science and Cochrane Library were systematically searched from January 2000 to November 2014. Included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) written in English that compared LLLT with placebo treatment in NSCLBP patients. The efficacy effect size was estimated by the weighted mean difference (WMD). Standard random-effects meta-analysis was used, and inconsistency was evaluated by the I-squared index (I(2)). RESULTS: Of 221 studies, seven RCTs (one triple-blind, four double-blind, one single-blind, one not mentioning blinding, totaling 394 patients) met the criteria for inclusion. Based on five studies, the WMD in visual analog scale (VAS) pain outcome score after treatment was significantly lower in the LLLT group compared with placebo (WMD = -13.57 [95 % CI = -17.42, -9.72], I(2) = 0 %). No significant treatment effect was identified for disability scores or spinal range of motion outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that LLLT is an effective method for relieving pain in NSCLBP patients. However, there is still a lack of evidence supporting its effect on function.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26667480

10.1186/s13075-015-0882-0

1478-6362

https://hdl.handle.net/10161/11582

eng

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Arthritis Res Ther

10.1186/s13075-015-0882-0

Chronic Pain

Humans

Low Back Pain

Low-Level Light Therapy

The effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for nonspecific chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal article

Kraus, Virginia Byers|0000-0001-8173-8258

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26667480

360

Clinical Science Departments

Duke

Duke Molecular Physiology Institute

Institutes and Centers

Medicine

Medicine, Rheumatology and Immunology

Orthopaedics

Pathology

School of Medicine

Published online

17