The Effect of High Intensity Laser Therapy on Low Back Pain: A Literature Review
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a highly prevalent musculoskeletal condition that significantly affects quality of life and functional ability across diverse populations. Effective management of LBP remains a clinical challenge, requiring a multidisciplinary approach that may involve patient education, therapeutic exercises, psychological support, and various physical modalities. Recent advancements in non-invasive physiotherapeutic modalities have positioned High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) as a promising option for managing chronic low back pain.
Objective: This literature review aims to discuss the effect of high intensity laser therapy on low back pain.
Methodology: Relevant articles were gathered from several digital databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library using keyword combination namely (“High Intensity Laser” AND “Low Back Pain”).
Conclusion: HILT demonstrates substantial potential as an effective and non-invasive modality for the treatment of LBP, particularly in chronic cases. HILT has been consistently shown to produce significant improvements in pain reduction, functional mobility, and lumbar range of motion, particularly when combined with therapeutic exercise programs.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
I. Gocevska M, Nikolikj-Dimitrova E, Gjerakaroska-Savevska C. Effects of High Intensity Laser in Treatment of Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019 Mar 25;7(6):949-954. doi: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.117. PMID: 30976338; PMCID: PMC6454183.
II. Bähr M, Frotscher M. Duus' Topical Diagnosis in Neurology: Anatomy, Physiology, Signs, Symptoms. 6th ed. Stuttgart: Thieme; 2020.
III. Alayat MSM, Alshehri MA, Shousha TM, Abdelgalil AA, Alhasan H, Khayyat OK, Al-Attar WS. The effectiveness of high intensity laser therapy in the management of spinal disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2019;32(6):869-884. doi: 10.3233/BMR-181341. PMID: 30932879.
IV. Saleh MS, Shahien M, Mortada H, Elaraby A, Hammad YS, Hamed M, Elshennawy S. High-intensity versus low-level laser in musculoskeletal disorders. Lasers Med Sci. 2024 Jul 11;39(1):179. doi: 10.1007/s10103-024-04111-1. PMID: 38990213; PMCID: PMC11239763.
V. Chauhan D, Sharma S. Adjunctive Approach to Therapeutic Laser and Exercise Therapies in Alleviating Pain and Disability in Patients with Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review. J Lifestyle Med. 2024 Aug 31;14(2):69-79. doi: 10.15280/jlm.2024.14.2.69. PMID: 39280939; PMCID: PMC11391339.
VI. González-Muñoz A, Cuevas-Cervera M, Pérez-Montilla JJ, Aguilar-Núñez D, Hamed-Hamed D, Aguilar-García M, Pruimboom L, Navarro-Ledesma S. Efficacy of Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Treatment of Pain and Inflammation: A Literature Review. Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Mar 24;11(7):938. doi: 10.3390/healthcare11070938. PMID: 37046865; PMCID: PMC10094541.
VII. Taradaj J, Rajfur K, Shay B, Rajfur J, Ptaszkowski K, Walewicz K, et al. Photobiomodulation using high- or low-level laser irradiations in patients with lumbar disc degenerative changes: disappointing outcomes and remarks. Clin Interv Aging. 2018;13:1445–55. doi:10.2147/CIA.S168094.
VIII. Tomazoni SS, Costa LDCM, Guimarães LS, Araujo AC, Nascimento DP, Medeiros FC, et al. Effects of photobiomodulation therapy in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: protocol for a randomised placebo-controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2017 Oct 24;7(10):e017202. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017202. PMID: 29070637; PMCID: PMC5665327.
IX. Taradaj J, Rajfur K, Rajfur J, Ptaszkowski K, Ptaszkowska L, Sopel M, Rosińczuk J, Dymarek R. Effect of laser treatment on postural control parameters in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2019 Nov 25;52(12):e8474. doi: 10.1590/1414-431X20198474. PMID: 31778436; PMCID: PMC6886387.
X. Abdildin Y, Tapinova K, Jyeniskhan N, Viderman D. High-intensity laser therapy in low back pain management: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Lasers Med Sci. 2023 Jul 26;38(1):166. doi: 10.1007/s10103-023-03827-w. PMID: 37493840.
XI. Abdelbasset WK, Nambi G, Alsubaie SF, Abodonya AM, Saleh AK, Ataalla NN, et al. A randomized comparative study between high-intensity and low-level laser therapy in the treatment of chronic nonspecific low back pain. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020;2020:1350281. doi:10.1155/2020/1350281.
XII. Choi HW, Lee J, Lee S, Choi J, Lee K, Kim BK, et al. Effects of high intensity laser therapy on pain and function of patients with chronic back pain. J Phys Ther Sci. 2017;29(6):1079-1081. doi:10.1589/jpts.29.1079.
XIII. Chen Y-J, Liao C-D, Hong J-P, Hsu W-C, Wu C-W, Chen H-C. Effects of laser therapy on chronic low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical Rehabilitation. 2021;36(3):289-302. doi:10.1177/02692155211057435.
XIV. Mitrić Ž, Vučković M, Hadžiomerović AM, Lalović M. Comparison between capacitive and resistive electronic transfer therapy and high-intensity laser therapy in pain conditions related to musculoskeletal disorders. J Heal Sci. 2022;12(2):98–109.
XV. Song HJ, Seo HJ, Lee Y, Kim SK. Effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Med (United States). 2018;97(51).
XVI. Szabo DA, Neagu N, Teodorescu S, Predescu C, Sopa IS, Panait L. TECAR Therapy Associated with High-Intensity Laser Therapy (Hilt) and Manual Therapy in the Treatment of Muscle Disorders: A Literature Review on the Theorised Effects Supporting Their Use. J Clin Med. 2022;11(20):1–19.