Evidence map›Paper›PMID 26667480›Full record

SynthesisArthritis research & therapy2015

The effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for nonspecific chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ZeYu Huang, Jun Ma, Jing Chen, Bin Shen, FuXing Pei, Virginia Byers Kraus

Open access · goldAbstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Arthritis research & therapy, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 58 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
58citing papers in PubMed, 6 pooled it
8.7field-weighted citation impact, top 2% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

58 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 133 citations in OpenAlex.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.

ZeYu HuangDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, No. 37 Wainan Guoxue Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China. Zey.huang@gmail.com.
Jun MaDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, No. 37 Wainan Guoxue Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China. dr.majun@foxmail.com.
Jing ChenWest China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No. 14, Third Section, Renmin Road South, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China. sallychen.jc@gmail.com.
Bin ShenDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, No. 37 Wainan Guoxue Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China. 492385233@qq.com.
FuXing PeiDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, No. 37 Wainan Guoxue Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China. peifuxing1951@163.com.
Virginia Byers KrausDuke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, PO Box 104775, Room 51-205, Carmichael Building, 300 North Duke Street, Durham, 27701-2047, NC, USA. vbk@duke.edu.
Sichuan University · CNDuke University · US

Funding

Resource Core 3 - Metabolomics CoreP30AG028716 · NIA · DUKE UNIVERSITY · PI Virginia B Kraus · 2006 to 2026
$24.6M
NIA NIH HHS P30 AG028716NIA NIH HHS P30-AG-028716
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn recent decades, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been widely used to relieve pain caused by different musculoskeletal disorders. Though widely used, its reported therapeutic outcomes are varied and conflicting. Results similarly conflict regarding its usage in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). This study investigated the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for the treatment of NSCLBP by a systematic literature search with meta-analyses on selected studies.

methodMEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science and Cochrane Library were systematically searched from January 2000 to November 2014. Included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) written in English that compared LLLT with placebo treatment in NSCLBP patients. The efficacy effect size was estimated by the weighted mean difference (WMD). Standard random-effects meta-analysis was used, and inconsistency was evaluated by the I-squared index (I(2)).

resultsOf 221 studies, seven RCTs (one triple-blind, four double-blind, one single-blind, one not mentioning blinding, totaling 394 patients) met the criteria for inclusion. Based on five studies, the WMD in visual analog scale (VAS) pain outcome score after treatment was significantly lower in the LLLT group compared with placebo (WMD = -13.57 [95 % CI = -17.42, -9.72], I(2) = 0 %). No significant treatment effect was identified for disability scores or spinal range of motion outcomes.

conclusionsOur findings indicate that LLLT is an effective method for relieving pain in NSCLBP patients. However, there is still a lack of evidence supporting its effect on function.

Indexed as

Chronic PainHumansLow Back PainLow-Level Light Therapy

Identifiers

PMID26667480
PMCPMC4704537
OpenAlexW2214927028

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.