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Noninvasive and alternative management of chronic low back pain (efficacy and outcomes).

Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
October 1, 2014
Joshua Wellington
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of noninvasive and alternative therapies, including Low-Level Laser Therapy, for chronic low back pain.

Results Summary

The study found that Low-Level Laser Therapy has poor evidence or little to no literature support for efficacy in treating chronic low back pain. It was categorized among therapies with the weakest evidence base.

Population

Patients with chronic low back pain.

Effective Dosage

Not available

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (16)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
exercise therapy with supervised physical therapy
decrease
chronic low back pain
patients with chronic low back pain
-
strongest evidence for good efficacy and outcomes
#1
multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation
decrease
chronic low back pain
patients with chronic low back pain
-
strongest evidence for good efficacy and outcomes
#2
acupuncture
decrease
chronic low back pain
patients with chronic low back pain
-
strongest evidence for good efficacy and outcomes
#3
yoga
decrease
chronic low back pain
patients with chronic low back pain
-
fair evidence or moderately supported
#4
back schools
decrease
chronic low back pain
patients with chronic low back pain
-
fair evidence or moderately supported
#5
thermal modalities
decrease
chronic low back pain
patients with chronic low back pain
-
fair evidence or moderately supported
#6
acupressure
decrease
chronic low back pain
patients with chronic low back pain
-
fair evidence or moderately supported
#7
cognitive-behavioral therapy
decrease
chronic low back pain
patients with chronic low back pain
-
fair evidence or moderately supported
#8
manipulation
no change
chronic low back pain
patients with chronic low back pain
-
poor evidence or little to no literature support
#9
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
no change
chronic low back pain
patients with chronic low back pain
-
poor evidence or little to no literature support
#10
low-level laser therapy
no change
chronic low back pain
patients with chronic low back pain
-
poor evidence or little to no literature support
#11
reflexology
no change
chronic low back pain
patients with chronic low back pain
-
poor evidence or little to no literature support
#12
biofeedback
no change
chronic low back pain
patients with chronic low back pain
-
poor evidence or little to no literature support
#13
progressive relaxation
no change
chronic low back pain
patients with chronic low back pain
-
poor evidence or little to no literature support
#14
hypnosis
no change
chronic low back pain
patients with chronic low back pain
-
poor evidence or little to no literature support
#15
aromatherapy
no change
chronic low back pain
patients with chronic low back pain
-
poor evidence or little to no literature support
#16
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this article is to provide a thorough literature review of available noninvasive and alternative treatment options for chronic low back pain. In particular, the efficacy of each therapy is evaluated and pertinent outcomes are described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search for available literature was done through PubMed and Cochrane data base for topics discussed in this paper. RESULTS: Relevant current and past references were reviewed and presented to reflect the efficacy of each therapy and related outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: There are a wide variety of noninvasive and alternative therapies for the treatment of chronic low back pain. Those with the strongest evidence in the literature for good efficacy and outcomes include exercise therapy with supervised physical therapy, multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation, and acupuncture. Therapies with fair evidence or moderately supported by literature include yoga, back schools, thermal modalities, acupressure, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Those therapies with poor evidence or little to no literature support include manipulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, low-level laser therapy, reflexology, biofeedback, progressive relaxation, hypnosis, and aromatherapy. Providers delivering care for patients with chronic low back pain must carefully evaluate these available treatment options related to their efficacy or lack thereof as well as relevant outcomes.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Complementary TherapiesHumansLow Back Pain
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy20/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations20
Citations/Year1.8
Relative Citation Ratio1.09
NIH Percentile53.6%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.57
Normalized Score0.43
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