A Randomized Comparative Study between High-Intensity and Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Walid Kamal Abdelbasset; Gopal Nambi; Saud F Alsubaie; Ahmed M Abodonya; Ayman K Saleh; Nahla N Ataalla; Ahmed A Ibrahim; Sayed A Tantawy; Dalia M Kamel; Anju Verma; Samah A Moawd

doi:10.1155/2020/1350281

A Randomized Comparative Study between High-Intensity and Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020 Oct 28:2020:1350281. doi: 10.1155/2020/1350281. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Walid Kamal Abdelbasset^{1

2}, Gopal Nambi¹, Saud F Alsubaie¹, Ahmed M Abodonya^{3

4}, Ayman K Saleh^{4

5}, Nahla N Ataalla⁶, Ahmed A Ibrahim⁷, Sayed A Tantawy^{8

9}, Dalia M Kamel¹⁰, Anju Verma¹, Samah A Moawd^{1

11}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Physical Therapy, Kasr Al-Aini Hospital, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
³ Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
⁴ Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Department of Orthopedic, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
⁶ Department of Radiological Sciences and Medical Imaging, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
⁷ Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Hai'l University, Hai'l, Hail, Saudi Arabia.
⁸ Department of Physiotherapy, Center of Radiation Oncology& Nuclear Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
⁹ Department of Physiotherapy for Integumentary Problems, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Deraya University, Menia, Egypt.
¹⁰ Department of Physical Therapy for Women's Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
¹¹ Department of Physical Therapy for Cardiovascular/Respiratory Disorder and Geriatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

Abstract

Objectives: Chronic nonspecific low back pain (chronic nsLBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders leading to disabilities and physical inactivity. Laser therapy was used in chronic nsLBP treatment; however, no previous studies have assessed the impacts of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) versus low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on chronic nsLBP. This study compared the effects of HILT versus LLLT on individuals suffering from chronic nsLBP.

Methods: The study was a randomized control trial. Sixty individuals with chronic nsLBP were enrolled in this study between May and November 2019. All participants were clinically diagnosed with chronic nsLBP. They were assigned randomly into three groups, 20 in each group. The first group received a program of LLLT, the second group received a program of HILT, and the third did not receive laser therapy (control group). Pain severity, disability, lumbar mobility, and quality of life were assessed before and after 12-week intervention.

Results: Both LLLT and HILT groups showed a significant improvement of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analogue scale (VAS), lumbar range of motion (ROM), and European Quality of Life (EuroQol) scores (p > 0.05), while the control group did not show significant changes (p > 0.05). Comparison among the three study groups postintervention showed significant differences in the outcome measures (p > 0.05), while comparison between the LLLT and HILT groups showed nonsignificant differences (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: There are no different influences of LLLT versus HILT on chronic nsLBP patients. Both LLLT and HILT reduce pain and disability and improve lumbar mobility and quality of life in chronic nsLBP patients.