The Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
7 Trials, 394 Participants
SOURCE
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26667480/
REFERENCE
46
NICE
REFERENCE
123
organisation
Arthritis Research & Therapy
TITLE
The Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
7 Trials, 394 Participants
SOURCE
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26667480/
DISC COMMENTARY
This systematic review and meta-analysis pooled 7 randomised controlled trials involving 394 people with chronic, non-specific low back pain. It tested whether low-level laser therapy reduces pain and improves function compared with placebo, published in Arthritis Research & Therapy in 2015.
What was studied?
The review compared laser therapy against placebo across seven trials, evaluating pain scores, disability scores and spinal range of motion, with 202 people receiving laser therapy and 192 receiving placebo.
What did they find?
Laser therapy produced a statistically significant reduction in pain compared with placebo straight after treatment, with consistent results across studies. There was no significant difference in disability scores or spinal range of motion between the groups.
Why it matters
Laser therapy can genuinely ease pain in chronic low back pain, but pain relief alone does not automatically restore movement or function. Improving function typically needs a different intervention, such as structured exercise.
Why we included it
It illustrates why single treatments are rarely enough on their own: pain relief and functional recovery often need different tools, which is why combining therapies purposefully matters more than relying on any one method.
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What was studied?
The review compared laser therapy against placebo across seven trials, evaluating pain scores, disability scores and spinal range of motion, with 202 people receiving laser therapy and 192 receiving placebo.
What did they find?
Laser therapy produced a statistically significant reduction in pain compared with placebo straight after treatment, with consistent results across studies. There was no significant difference in disability scores or spinal range of motion between the groups.
Why it matters
Laser therapy can genuinely ease pain in chronic low back pain, but pain relief alone does not automatically restore movement or function. Improving function typically needs a different intervention, such as structured exercise.
Why we included it
It illustrates why single treatments are rarely enough on their own: pain relief and functional recovery often need different tools, which is why combining therapies purposefully matters more than relying on any one method.