Effects of Photobiomodulation by Laser and Mechanical Systems on Low Back Pain: A Longitudinal, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Study Summary

70 patients with low back pain were randomized to receive laser photobiomodulation combined with vacuum therapy (VL), roller massage (RL), or ultrasound (USL), laser therapy alone (L), or placebo laser (P), with 55 patients completing the study. All interventions were administered for 20 minutes once weekly over 7 sessions. The primary outcomes were pain intensity measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold measured by algometry, and isometric muscle strength assessed by dynamometry. Secondary outcomes included lumbar range of motion, spinal flexibility, shoulder mobility, quality of life, and subjective well-being. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after the first session, and after 7 sessions, with quality of life and well-being evaluated at baseline and after the final session. Overall, the results revealed that all groups experienced significant reductions in self-reported low back pain, including the placebo group, whereas active treatments significantly improved pressure pain thresholds compared with placebo. Combined therapies also improved strength, flexibility, and mobility, with VL demonstrating notable improvements across several outcomes. These findings suggested that combining photobiomodulation with mechanical therapies may provide additional short-term functional benefits for patients with low back pain.