Using laser therapy to reduce lower back pain after spinal surgery
Utilizing Photobiomodulation Via Laser Diode Belts To Treat Chronic Lower Back Pain in Patients Who Have Undergone Spinal Fusion and Decompression Surgery
This study is testing if a special laser therapy can help people with chronic lower back pain feel better after having spinal surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of California, Los Angeles Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Los Angeles, California and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06282770 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effectiveness of photobiomodulation using laser diodes in reducing chronic lower back pain following spinal fusion and decompression surgeries. It involves 80 patients who will be divided into two groups: one receiving a laser diode brace and the other a sham brace. Patients will wear their assigned brace three times a day for 12 minutes over a 12-week period. The study will also monitor wound healing and collect various demographic and clinical data to assess outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who have undergone minimally invasive spinal fusion or decompression surgery within the last 1 to 5 years and experience chronic lower back pain.
Not a fit: Patients with tumors, current infections, or severe spinal conditions may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce chronic pain and improve recovery for patients after spinal surgery.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of laser therapy for pain management is gaining interest, this specific application post-spinal surgery is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Subject will have undergone minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery or spinal decompression surgery in their lower back L1-S1. * Have low back pain of \>3 months and a pain threshold of \> 4 (as described by the the subject), age \> 18 years, and English speaking to eliminate possible miscommunication and consequent human error regarding belt use. * Subject must have had surgery at minimum to 1 year prior to start of study and no more than 5 years prior to start to study Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with tumors * Current infection * Drug misuse history * Skin conditions preclude the use of laser belt * Severe spondylolisthesis, spondylolysis, spinal stenosis, ankylosing spondylitis * Previous low back surgery exceeding 5 years to initial start date.
Where this trial is running
Los Angeles, California and 1 other locations
- Semel Institute of Neuroscience at UCLA — Los Angeles, California, United States (Recruiting)
- UCLA Clinical and Translational Research Center — Los Angeles, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Daniel Lu, Md, PhD
- Email: DCLu@mednet.ucla.edu
- Phone: 310-267-2975
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.