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Meta-Analysis
. 2015 Dec 15:17:360.
doi: 10.1186/s13075-015-0882-0.

The effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for nonspecific chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ZeYu Huang  1   2 , Jun Ma  3 , Jing Chen  4 , Bin Shen  5 , FuXing Pei  6 , Virginia Byers Kraus  7   8
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for nonspecific chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ZeYu Huang et al. Arthritis Res Ther. .

Abstract

Background: In recent decades, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been widely used to relieve pain caused by different musculoskeletal disorders. Though widely used, its reported therapeutic outcomes are varied and conflicting. Results similarly conflict regarding its usage in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). This study investigated the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for the treatment of NSCLBP by a systematic literature search with meta-analyses on selected studies.

Method: MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science and Cochrane Library were systematically searched from January 2000 to November 2014. Included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) written in English that compared LLLT with placebo treatment in NSCLBP patients. The efficacy effect size was estimated by the weighted mean difference (WMD). Standard random-effects meta-analysis was used, and inconsistency was evaluated by the I-squared index (I(2)).

Results: Of 221 studies, seven RCTs (one triple-blind, four double-blind, one single-blind, one not mentioning blinding, totaling 394 patients) met the criteria for inclusion. Based on five studies, the WMD in visual analog scale (VAS) pain outcome score after treatment was significantly lower in the LLLT group compared with placebo (WMD = -13.57 [95 % CI = -17.42, -9.72], I(2) = 0 %). No significant treatment effect was identified for disability scores or spinal range of motion outcomes.

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that LLLT is an effective method for relieving pain in NSCLBP patients. However, there is still a lack of evidence supporting its effect on function.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
CONSORT diagram showing screening process and search results for the meta-analysis of LLLT for chronic nonspecific low back pain. LLLT low-level laser therapy
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot analysis of the VAS pain score after LLLT treatment. WMD weighted mean difference, LLLT low-level laser therapy, VAS visual analog scale; weight % stands for the portion of the total sample contributed by each study
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plot analysis of disability outcomes after LLLT treatment measured by Oswestry disability index (ODI). LLLT low-level laser therapy
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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