Djavid GE, Mehrdad R, Ghasemi M, Hasan-Zadeh H, Sotoodeh-Manesh A, Pouryaghoub G
The objective of this study was to determine whether low level laser therapy is an effective adjunct intervention for chronic low back pain. Of 61 subjects, one group received laser therapy alone, one received laser therapy and exercise, and the third group received placebo laser therapy and exercise. The results showed that there was no greater effect of laser therapy compared with exercise for any outcome, at either 6 or 12 weeks. There was also no greater effect of laser therapy plus exercise compared with exercise for any outcome at 6 weeks. However, in the laser therapy plus exercise group pain had reduced, lumbar range of movement increased and disability reduced more than in the exercise group at 12 weeks. The authors conclude that in chronic low back pain low level laser therapy combined with exercise is more beneficial than exercise alone in the long term.
Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 2007, 53(3), 155-60