University Library
  • Login
A gateway to Melbourne's research publications
Minerva Access is the University's Institutional Repository. It aims to collect, preserve, and showcase the intellectual output of staff and students of the University of Melbourne for a global audience.
View Item 
  • Minerva Access
  • Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences
  • Melbourne Medical School
  • General Practice
  • General Practice - Research Publications
  • View Item
  • Minerva Access
  • Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences
  • Melbourne Medical School
  • General Practice
  • General Practice - Research Publications
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Low-level laser therapy for chronic non-specific low back pain: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

    Thumbnail
    Download
    Published version (2.117Mb)

    Citations
    Scopus
    Web of Science
    Altmetric
    29
    22
    Author
    Glazov, G; Yelland, M; Emery, J
    Date
    2016-10-01
    Source Title
    Acupuncture in medicine
    Publisher
    SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
    University of Melbourne Author/s
    Emery, Jonathan
    Affiliation
    General Practice
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Document Type
    Journal Article
    Citations
    Glazov, G., Yelland, M. & Emery, J. (2016). Low-level laser therapy for chronic non-specific low back pain: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. ACUPUNCTURE IN MEDICINE, 34 (5), pp.328-341. https://doi.org/10.1136/acupmed-2015-011036.
    Access Status
    Open Access
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/11343/257792
    DOI
    10.1136/acupmed-2015-011036
    Abstract
    OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of low-level laser treatment (LLLT) for chronic back pain remains controversial due to insufficient trial data. We aimed to conduct an updated review to determine if LLLT (including laser acupuncture) has specific benefits in chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP). METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for randomised trials using sham controls and blinded assessment examining the intervention of LLLT in adults with CNLBP. Primary outcomes were pain and global assessment of improvement with up to short-term follow-up. Secondary outcomes were disability, range of back movement, and adverse effects. A random effects meta-analysis was conducted. Subgroup analyses were based on laser dose, duration of baseline pain, and whether or not laser therapy used an acupuncture approach. RESULTS: 15 studies were selected involving 1039 participants. At immediate and short-term follow-up there was significant pain reduction of up to WMD (weighted mean difference) -1.40 cm (95% CI -1.91 to -0.88 cm) in favour of laser treatment, occurring in trials using at least 3 Joules (J) per point, with baseline pain <30 months and in non-acupuncture LLLT trials. Global assessment showed a risk ratio of 2.16 (95% CI 1.61 to 2.90) in favour of laser treatment in the same groups only at immediate follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated moderate quality of evidence (GRADE) to support a clinically important benefit in LLLT for CNLBP in the short term, which was only seen following higher laser dose interventions and in participants with a shorter duration of back pain. Rigorously blinded trials using appropriate laser dosage would provide greater certainty around this conclusion.

    Export Reference in RIS Format     

    Endnote

    • Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format" and choose "open with... Endnote".

    Refworks

    • Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format". Login to Refworks, go to References => Import References


    Collections
    • Minerva Elements Records [45689]
    • General Practice - Research Publications [513]
    Minerva AccessDepositing Your Work (for University of Melbourne Staff and Students)NewsFAQs

    BrowseCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects
    My AccountLoginRegister
    StatisticsMost Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors