The Comparison of The Efficacy of Photobiomodulation and Ultrasound in the Treatment of Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain: A Randomized Single-Blind Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic neck pain is a common complaint among office workers. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of a high-intensity laser and physiotherapy in office workers who were diagnosed with chronic non-specific neck pain. Methods: This study was a single-blind randomized controlled trial, with parallel allocation. Sixty office workers with chronic neck pain, aged between 25 and 55 years, participated in the study. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: photobiomodulation (by a high-level laser) and physiotherapy. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPDS) and Bournemouth Questionnaire (BQN) were completed on three occasions (before, immediately and 2 weeks after the intervention) to assess and compare the efficacy of the high-intensity laser and physiotherapy in neck pain. Data were analyzed by SPSS 23 software using the chi-square test, Student’s t test, multivariate tests, and Fisher’s exact test. Results: The mean age of the participants was 37.53±9.52 and 41.16±7.85 years in physiotherapy and laser therapy respectively. The VAS score and NDI scores decreased after both kinds of interventions, and the effect of photobiomodulation was significantly higher than physiotherapy (P<0.001). Both treatment modalities significantly affect different aspects of chronic neck pain assessed by NDPS and BQN questionnaires and the effect of photobiomodulation was more prominent than physiotherapy. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that photobiomodulation and physiotherapy can reduce chronic neck pain and its different aspects and the effect of laser therapy was significantly higher than physiotherapy.

Comparison of the clinical effectiveness of Class IV Laser therapy and therapeutic ultrasound in patients with chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial

“…Com uma taxa de desistência de 15%, foram calculadas 22 amostras em cada grupo, para um tamanho total de amostra de 44. 9 Os pacientes foram separados aleatoriamente em dois grupos, ou seja, o grupo A do LASER e o grupo B da UST, por meio de um programa computadorizado na proporção de 1:1. Todos os participantes preencheram os dados demográficos e os dados sobre dor cervical.…”

“…No presente estudo, houve diferenças significativas nos valores de VAS, IIP e PPT no grupo LASER em comparação com o grupo UST. Os achados de nosso estudo são semelhantes aos do estudo de Kenarah et al 9 Uma revisão sistemática recente mostrou que a terapia a laser de alta intensidade é eficaz no tratamento de síndromes de dor miofascial do trapézio, dor miofascial cervical e pontos de gatilho. 16 Outra revisão sistemática também mostrou a eficácia do HILT no tratamento de condições musculoesqueléticas como fáscia plantar, OA graus 2-3, síndrome do túnel do carpelo, epicondilite lateral e dor lombar crônica.…”

“…O estudo incluiu pacientes com dor no pescoço por mais de três meses, com idade entre 18 e 45 anos e com pelo menos um ponto-gatilho na região do pescoço. 9 Os critérios diagnósticos para pontos-gatilho miofasciais são a presença de pontos sensíveis dentro de faixas musculares esticadas em áreas que o paciente identificou como dolorosas. 2 A intensidade da dor é superior a 4 na EVA.…”

“…A potência foi de 10 watts e a frequência de dosagem foi definida como contínua. 9 O tempo de tratamento foi calculado dividindo-se a energia total fornecida pela saída total média. O método de varredura por contato foi usado para realizar o tratamento em uma posição confortável para cada área.…”

Effect of Therapeutic Ultrasound for Neck Pain : A Systematic Review

“…In study by Kenareh, et al with 60 office workers, aged 25 until 55 years, showed the result that physiotherapy and photobiomodulation both help to lessen the various components of persistent neck pain, however laser treatment had a far greater impact than physiotherapy. 10 Yilmaz, et al did study of total 40 patients which is 22 women an 18 men that affected with cervical disc herniation and feel the neck pain showed that by lowering discomfort, it was discovered that the HILT plus exercise program and the TENS / US plus exercise program both improved cervical range of motion and quality of life. These two treatment plans can be used interchangeably in clinical settings and have comparable results when treating cervical pain brought on by CDH.…”