Short-term therapeutic effects of 890-nanometer light therapy for chronic low back pain: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study

Ru-Lan Hsieh & Wen-Chung Lee

Lasers Med Sci DOI 10.1007/s10103-013-1378-2

Study Summary

The 50 patients who qualified for this study experienced chronic low back pain. 33 patients received Anodyne with a hot pack and 27 patients received only hot pack treatments. All patients received 6 treatments of 40 minutes each (three times over two weeks) using either the Anodyne plus heat pack or heat pack alone.

Results

Patients who received Anodyne, in the manner described in the study, obtained :

Substantially decreased pain compared to patients receiving hot pack alone

Reductions in severity of disability and fear avoidance beliefs in both work and physical activity as compared to patients who received hot pack alone.