Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of laser photobiomodulation therapy (lPBMt) and ultrasound therapy (UST) in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP). Forty-five patients with CNLBP aged 30-40years were divided randomly into three groups of 15 subjects each. The lPBMt group received 8weeks of lPBMt with an exercise program, while the UST group received 8weeks of UST with the same exercise program; the control group received only the exercise program for 8weeks. Pain, disability, functional performance, and lumbar range of motion were assessed at the beginning of the study and after 8weeks. There were no significant differences in demographic and clinical characteristics among the three groups at baseline (p>0.05). At the end of the study, there were significant improvements in pain, disability, and functional performance in the two experimental groups (p<0.05), but changes in the control group were non-significant. However, lumbar range of motion was significantly improved only in the lPBMt group (p<0.05). When the three groups were compared in terms of a change in clinical variables, there was a significant difference among the three groups in all measures in favor of lPBMt group. Based on our results, both lPBMt or UST combined with an 8-week exercise program seemed to be effective methods for decreasing pain, reducing disability, and increasing functional performance in patients with CNLBP, although lPBMt is more effective than UST.