Low-dose laser acupuncture for non-specific chronic low back pain: a double-blind randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine if infrared laser acupuncture (LA) may have a specific effect in reducing pain and disability in treatment of chronic low back pain (LBP).

Methods

This was a double-blind sham laser controlled trial performed in general practices in Perth, Western Australia. The participants were 144 adults with chronic non-specific LBP. They were randomised to receive eight once-weekly treatments. Laser machines (20 mW, 840 nm diode, power density 0.1 W/cm(2)) stimulated points in three treatment groups: sham (0 joules/point), low dose (0.2 J/point) and high dose (0.8 joules/point). Participants were followed-up at 1 and 6 weeks, and 6 and 12 months post treatment. Primary outcomes were pain (Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)) and disability (Oswestry Disability Inve

SUBMITTER: Glazov G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3995277 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature