EVALUATION OF THE PAIN RELIEF EFFECT OF INTRAVASCULAR LOW-LEVEL LASER IRRADIATION THERAPY COMBINED WITH ELECTROACUPUNCTURE ON PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC BACK PAIN AT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE, THONG NHAT HOSPITAL

Abstract

Evaluation of the analgesic effect of low-power intravascular laser combined with electroacupuncture compared to electroacupuncture alone in patients with chronic low back pain treated at the Traditional Medicine Department of Thong Nhat Hospital. 60 patients with confirmed diagnosis of chronic back pain at the Department of Traditional Medicine, Thong Nhat Hospital. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. The control group (n=30) was treated with electroacupuncture; the intervention group (n=30) was treated with low-power intravascular laser combined with electroacupuncture similar to the control group. The treatment course was continuous for 10 days, once a day. Treatment effectiveness was assessed based on the VAS pain scale assessed after 5 and 10 days of treatment. After 10 days of treatment, the VAS pain score was 2,42 ± 1,67 in the control group and 1,57 ± 1,48 in the intervention group. Both groups experienced a reduction in pain to the levels of no pain (0–2 points) or mild pain (2–4 points). The intervention group demonstrated superior pain relief starting from day 5, reaching statistical significance by day 10 (p = 0.03 < 0.05). Combining electroacupuncture with intravascular low-level laser therapy enhance effeciency in relive pain due to lumbago. No significant side effects were noted.