Back Pain
Conditions
Keywords
Photobiomodulation, Aviation
Brief summary
Back pain is a common complaint among pilots. Current treatments include physiotherapy and chiropractic manipulations. Low-level laser irradiation (LLLI) in the visible to near-infrared range was shown to reduce neck and low back pain. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of Light Therapy for treatment of back pain in pilots.
Detailed description
Background: Lumbar spine disorders are common conditions in pilots of various aircraft with etiology related to sub-optimal ergonomics, exposure to G-forces, the weight of the head gear and exposure to extensive vibrations. Current treatments include physiotherapy and chiropractic manipulations. Low-level laser irradiation (LLLI) is a non-ionizing, non-thermal irradiation within the visible to near infrared range of the light spectrum. LLLI has been used widely for alleviation of pain in inflammatory processes and acceleration of wound healing. A variety of clinical studies show that LLLT in the near infrared range may be useful in the treatment of back pain. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Light Therapy for treatment of back pain in pilots. Study design: Prospective, randomized, controlled double blind. Volunteers will receive biweekly physiotherapy treatment for 3 weeks. In addition to the physiotherapy treatment, half the volunteers will receive light therapy and half sham irradiation. Study evaluations will include physical examination by an orthopedic surgeon, subjective pain level by visual analogue scale, validated low back functional questionnaires, a generic functional questionnaire, and patient satisfaction scores. Volunteers will be invited for evaluations at 1 and 3 months after the final treatment.
Interventions
DEVICEGaAlAs 808nm laser
Hand held superpulsed GaAlAs 808 nm LLLI
DEVICESham
Hand held laser that emits no LLLI
Sponsors
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Pilot (current) * Level of pain - moderate to severe low back pain (≥40 on the pain VAS)
Exclusion criteria
* Low back pain due to non-traumatic etiological causes (infection, tumor, osteoporosis, ankylosing spondylitis, fracture, inflammatory process, cauda equinal syndrome). * Pregnant * Recent (up to 1 year) history of trauma * Current chronic pain other than low back pain * Physical disability that prevents the patient to lie down/get up
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Time to reach minimal important change in pain level by visual analog scale (VAS) | within 4 months |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change in pain level by VAS after 3 weeks compared to baseline (before treatment) | 3 weeks |
Countries
Israel
Outcome results
None listed