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Review Article
- Effectiveness and Safety of Low-Level Laser Treatment for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Sang Jun Lee, Seung Jin Noh, Jeong Rock Kim, Kyung Bok Park, Sae-rom Jeon, Yejin Hong, Dongwoo Nam
- Perspect Integr Med. 2023;2(3):155-163. Published online October 23, 2023
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2023.10.003
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Graphical Abstract
Abstract
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Supplementary Material 
- Background
Low-level laser treatment (LLLT) is used to treat low back pain (LBP) however, its effects on lumbar disc herniation (LDH) remain unclear. The safety and effectiveness of LLLT for LDH was determined using a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.
Methods
Studies on LLLT in adults with LDH were identified from 12 worldwide databases. A risk of bias assessment and a meta-analysis with categorization according to the type of control used (inactive, active, or add-on) was performed. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation.
Results
The quantitative analyses included five studies. LLLT was significantly more effective at treating LDH [leg pain visual analog scale (VAS) mean difference (MD): -1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI): -2.01, -1.80, I2 80%; LBP VAS MD: -0.79, 95% CI: -0.87, -0.71, I2 80%] than inactive controls (placebo or sham). The quality of the evidence ranged from “low” to “very low.” As an add-on to usual care, LLLT significantly improved pain intensity and disability compared with usual care (leg pain VAS MD: -2.52, 95% CI: -2.65, -2.40, I2 97%; LBP VAS MD: -1.47, 95% CI: -1.58, -1.36; Oswestry Disability Index MD: -4.10, 95% CI: -4.55, -3.65, I2 6%). However, the quality of the evidence ranged from “moderate” to “low.”
Conclusion
LLLT significantly improved outcomes compared with the inactive controls, but was not more effective than usual care for LDH. In combination with usual care, LLLT was significantly more effective than usual care alone highlighting the potential of LLLT.
Protocol
- Effectiveness and Safety of Duantengyimu-tang for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Gyoungeun Park, Jeong-Hyun Moon, Eun-Jung Kim, Won-Suk Sung
- Perspect Integr Med. 2023;2(2):134-137. Published online June 23, 2023
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.56986/pim.2023.06.009
- 742 View
- 11 Download
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Abstract
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- Background
Per-oral pharmacological medication is a representative treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and has improved over several guidelines. However, limitations of long-term use of these medications including adverse events, led to the introduction and utilization of complementary and alternative treatments for RA. Several herbal medicine decoctions have been reported to be effective and safe; a recent study introduced Duantengyimu-tang (DTYMT). Regardless of the pharmacological effects of the DTYMT components, there are concerns about its safety. Therefore, this systematic review (SR) will focus on the effectiveness and safety of DTYMT treatment for RA.
Methods
Searches for randomized controlled trials using DTYMT treatment for RA will be performed using multiple electronic databases, manual searches, and emails (if necessary). A summary will be written using data on outcome measurements of the study participants, interventions, adverse events, and risk of bias in the studies. The primary outcomes will be disease activity scores including effective rate, tender joints, swollen joints, and morning stiffness. The secondary outcomes will include adverse events and blood tests for RA (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and rheumatoid factors). This SR will use Review Manager software to perform a meta-analysis, the Cochrane Collaboration “risk of bias” tool, and determine the quality of evidence using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method.
Results
This SR will investigate the clinical effectiveness and safety of DTYMT treatment in patients with RA.
Conclusion
This SR aims to be informative for patients and clinicians in clinical practice, researchers, and policymakers in managing RA.
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