The Effects of MLS LASER Therapy in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain
Condition: Non-specific Low Back Pain
MeSH terms: Back Pain; Low Back Pain
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Non-specific cronic low back pain is very common condition affecting 80-85% of adults. The
      most common therapies for low back pain are: patient education, excercise and physical
      therapy. High intensity laser therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment to improve
      sympthoms in patient with non-specific low back pain when combined wth exercise.

      The aim of this study is to assess the effects of a multi-wave locked system laser therapy in
      patient with non-specif low back pain when administered alone.
    

Detailed description: 
      Chronic nonspecific low back pain, given its high prevalence globally and the disability
      resulting from it, results in significant deterioration in quality of life and substantial
      both social and economic costs. The determinants are predominantly biological, in particular
      musculoskeletal alterations of the lumbar region, but psychosocial factors also contribute
      significantly to the manifestation of the disorder.

      Patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain are characterized by pain intensity sometimes
      disabling, a reduction in lumbar range of motion (ROM) and the frequent absence of
      flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP). Both high-power and low-power laser therapy, especially
      when included in a multidimensional rehabilitation plan, seems effective in improving both
      pain and function of affected patients. MLS (Multiwave Locked System) laser therapy is an
      innovative high-power technology characterized by the combined and synchronized emission of
      laser light at two wavelengths (a continuous emission with a wavelength wavelength of 808 nm
      and a pulsed emission at 905 nm) and its efficacy in the treatment of chronic nonspecific low
      back pain is still unknown.

      This work aims to study the effects of MSL laser therapy on pain, disability disability,
      lumbar ROM and muscle activity in a homogeneous group of patients with from chronic
      nonspecific low back pain. Although the literature shows that the combination of exercise
      with laser therapy yields better results in terms of both pain reduction and functional
      recovery, in this study we chose not to use any combination of treatments, in order to
      evaluate the effectiveness of MLS laser therapy alone in the treatment of chronic nonspecific
      low back pain.

      To isolate the specific results of MLS laser therapy, it is intended to compare it with a
      placebo, represented by a device apparently identical in morphology and behavior to that
      delivering the laser and emitting visible light of similar appearance, by means of a clinical
      trial double-blind prospective randomized controlled trial. The double-blind design is
      adhered to because the type of laser therapy employed with the protocol followed, despite the
      effects tissue biology highlighted in the literature, is not able to make the patient feel
      any heat sensation during the session. 31 This is the first study in the literature aimed at
      analyzing the possible effects determined by the use of MLS laser therapy in chronic
      nonspecific low back pain: this investigation is conducted with an integrated methodology,
      using standardized and validated measures for pain intensity and disability, combined with
      kinematic and electromyography of high technological value.
    

Intervention name(s): Multiwave locked system laser therapy; Sham laser therapy
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): High intensity laser therapy; Sham laser therapy
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double (Participant, Care Provider)
Primary purpose: Treatment