Title:
Effect of Vascular Photobiomodulation as an Adjuvant to the Treatment of Low Back Pain: Triple-blind Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial

Authors:
Sirléia Mendes Fernandes, Denis Fernandes, Milene Alves Azevedo, Raquel Agnelli Mesquita-Ferrari, Sandra Kalil Bussadori, Lara Jansiski Motta, Brazil

Abstract:

This triple-blind pilot clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effect of vascular photobiomodulation combined with manual myofascial release and therapeutic exercises in the treatment of participants presenting with low back pain symptoms from the 1st to the 5th week. Participants were divided into Group 1 (placebo—inactive VPBM) and Group 2 (treatment—active VPBM), with both groups receiving myofascial release and performing therapeutic exercises. The instruments used were the Numeric Pain Scale (NPS), Oswestry Disability Index 2.0, and Roland Morris Questionnaire. Data analyses recorded intra-group and inter-group results. Statistical analysis compared data obtained both within and between groups for all questionnaires. Regarding participant disability, there was a significant difference in both intra-group and inter-group results in both questionnaires. The statistically significant value of p='0.0322' (inter-group) was found for the Oswestry Index, while for the Roland Morris Questionnaire the value was p='0.007' (inter-group). The inter-group result shown for the Numeric Pain Scale was not statistically significant, with p='0.1392.' Vascular photobiomodulation demonstrated improvement in participants' daily disability; however, regarding pain reduction, no positive result was observed.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.51505/ijmshr.2026.10306