Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Patients with Discogenic Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
110 Patients, 18 Sessions
SOURCE
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8898844/
REFERENCE
71
NICE
REFERENCE
123
organisation
Journal of Healthcare Engineering
TITLE
Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Patients with Discogenic Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
110 Patients, 18 Sessions
SOURCE
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8898844/
DISC COMMENTARY
This double-blind randomised controlled trial, conducted in Pakistan, tested whether adding low-level laser therapy to standard physical therapy improves outcomes for people with acute low back pain and one-sided leg pain caused by a disc herniation, using 110 patients.
What was studied?
110 patients were split evenly between physical therapy alone and physical therapy plus laser therapy, applied to four points over 18 sessions across 6 to 8 weeks, measuring changes in leg pain and overall disability.
What did they find?
The group who received laser therapy alongside physical therapy had substantially better outcomes than physical therapy alone, with a mean difference of 2.52 in leg pain reduction and 4.10 in disability improvement, both favouring the combined treatment.
Why it matters
This is one of the specific trials behind a broader systematic review, reinforcing the same pattern: laser therapy appears most useful as an add-on to standard physical therapy, not as a replacement for it.
Why we included it
It shows how individual trials feed into wider reviews: this study's specific results align with the broader pattern seen across the evidence, strengthening confidence rather than standing alone as an isolated result.
Help us improve your experience (and hopefully your back).
We use cookies to improve the website and show relevant content to people interested in our services.
We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You can choose which categories to allow below. Cookies categorised as Necessary are always active.
We also use third-party cookies for analytics and advertising. These are only stored with your consent. You can update or withdraw consent at any time via the cookie icon at the bottom-left. This site operates under UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). Cookie Policy • Privacy Policy
Always Active
Necessary cookies are required for core site features including security, network management, and consent storage.
Cookie
Duration
Description
hmdg_cookie_consent
180 days
Stores your cookie consent preferences.
PHPSESSID
Session
WordPress session identifier.
wordpress_logged_in_*
Session
WordPress login authentication.
Functional cookies enable enhanced features such as live chat and remembering preferences.
Cookie
Duration
Description
wp-settings-*
1 year
Stores user interface preferences.
Analytics cookies help us understand visitor behaviour. Controls analytics_storage for Google Analytics 4.
Cookie
Duration
Description
_ga
2 years
Google Analytics — distinguishes users.
_ga_*
2 years
Google Analytics 4 — session persistence.
_gid
24 hours
Google Analytics — distinguishes users.
_gat
1 minute
Google Analytics — throttles request rate.
Performance cookies collect aggregate, anonymous data about site performance.
Cookie
Duration
Description
_gat_gtag_*
1 minute
Google Tag Manager — rate throttle.
Marketing cookies track visits to deliver relevant ads. Controls ad_storage, ad_user_data, and ad_personalization.
What was studied?
110 patients were split evenly between physical therapy alone and physical therapy plus laser therapy, applied to four points over 18 sessions across 6 to 8 weeks, measuring changes in leg pain and overall disability.
What did they find?
The group who received laser therapy alongside physical therapy had substantially better outcomes than physical therapy alone, with a mean difference of 2.52 in leg pain reduction and 4.10 in disability improvement, both favouring the combined treatment.
Why it matters
This is one of the specific trials behind a broader systematic review, reinforcing the same pattern: laser therapy appears most useful as an add-on to standard physical therapy, not as a replacement for it.
Why we included it
It shows how individual trials feed into wider reviews: this study's specific results align with the broader pattern seen across the evidence, strengthening confidence rather than standing alone as an isolated result.