Noninvasive and alternative management of chronic low back pain (efficacy and outcomes).
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
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.