Effects of photobiomodulation therapy on chronic non-specific low back pain: placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Low back pain is a major and often public health problem, leading to excessive level of absence for work and high costs to health care systems. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a non-pharmacological method commonly used in treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. However, there are few high-quality scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of this therapy in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain, at short, medium and long term. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of PBMT in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. Trial design: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eligibility criteria: One hundred forty eight patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. Interventions: Treatment with placebo or PBMT - 3 times per week, (in alternate days) for 4 consecutive weeks, in a total of 12 therapy sessions. For ethical reasons all patients, regardless of treatment, will receive a book with information based on guidelines for management of low back pain. Outcomes: Clinical outcomes will be assessed at baseline (before start treatments), at the end of treatments, and at 3, 6 and 12-month follow-up. Primary outcomes will be pain intensity and general disability assessed immediately after 12 treatment sessions. Secondary outcomes will be pain intensity and general disability, at 3, 6 and 12-month follow-up, besides specific disability and global perceived effect at all timepoints. Results: It is expected that patients treated with PBMT will show better clinical improvement at short, medium and long term compared with patients treated with placebo. These results may contribute for a safe and effective clinical practice for treatment of non-specific low back pain. (AU)