Effects of Low-intensity Pulsed Ultrasound on Pain and Functional Disability in Patients With Lumbar Spondylolysis
Condition: Spondylolysis
MeSH terms: Spondylolysis
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is effective in accelerating the healing of
      fractures, reduction in costs to the state, reduction in the numbers of those patients who
      progress from out-patient care to long term care who, in the process lose their ability to
      perform activities of daily living and consequently their independence.
    

Detailed description: 
      Aim of this study was to determine the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on pain and
      functional disability in patients with lumbar spondylolysis. Thirty four (29 males & 5
      females) diagnosed subjects of lumbar spondylolysis with symptomatic low back pain since four
      months aged between twenty to forty years were recruited. This randomized controlled trial
      was a part of PhD Physical Therapy project conducted at Department of Physiotherapy,
      University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from June 2020 to March 2021 by
      using non probability purposive sampling technique. Subjects were divided randomly into two
      equal groups (Group-A and Group-B). Lottery method was used to randomly assign patients into
      two groups. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) was utilized to measure pain intensity and
      Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) to measure functional disability. Data was analyzed by using
      SPSS 21.
    

Intervention name(s): Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS); Routine physical therapy
Intervention type(s): Device; Other
Intervention description(s): Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) consists of frequencies usually ranging from 0.75- 1.5 MHz at intensities <100mW/cm² (usually about 30mW/cm²) and usually pulsed at 1:4. The transducer head is strapped or otherwise held in place and remains stationary for treatment periods in the region of 20 minutes. Again, US medium is used for efficient sound transfer to deeper tissues. This modality was approved by the FDA in the United States in 1994 for the accelerated healing of fresh fractures and then approved by the same body in 2000 for the treatment of established non-union fractures. The studies presented to the FDA demonstrated that LIPUS had a positive effect during all three main stages of fracture healing, i.e. inflammatory, reparative and remodelling by enhancing angiogenesis, chondrogenesis and osteogenesis.; Gentle hamstrings stretching for 15 seconds 3 times a day. Flexibility of these muscle reduces stress to the lumbar region thus enhances the spino-pelvic rhythm (lumbar motion/pelvic motion). Strengthening of abdominal muscles (transversus abdominis and internal oblique). Training of these "stability" muscles in the lumbar spine provides a solid foundation for the individuals to integrate them into their functional movement patterns. Exercises focusing on these muscles have been shown to significantly decrease pain and disability in people with spondylolysis. Each exercise will be performed as 3 sets of 10 repetitions on alternate days.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: lumbar vertebra; pain; functional disability; low-intensity pulsed ultrasound