Effect of High Power Laser Therapy on Patients with Chronic Discogenic Sciatica: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Back Ground: Sciatica is a frequent clinical illness that may be intensely painful, disabling, and life-altering. Objectives: The goal of this research was to see how high-power laser therapy affects the intensity of pain, angle of straight leg raise, six-minute walk test and electrophysiological studies in patients with chronic discogenic sciatica. Methods: A lumbar disc herniation at L5-S1 caused chronic unilateral sciatica in thirty-six male patients were included in this study. The patients have been divided into 2 identical groups [the control group (G1) and the study group (G2)] randomly. Participants in the control group (G1) got a designed physiotherapy program that included ultrasound, stretching exercise, back muscles strengthening exercise and sciatic nerve flossing technique. While patients in the study group (G2) got the same designed physiotherapy program as G1 plus high power laser therapy (HPLT). The outcome measures were latency and amplitude of Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) for evaluating S1 nerve root function, visual analog scale (VAS) for evaluating pain level, angle of straight leg raise (SLR) and six-minute walk test (6MWT) for assessing functional impairment. Both groups were assessed before and after 4 weeks of therapy. Results: The findings demonstrated that both groups showed a significant reduction in pain level and latency of H-reflex following therapy. The angle of SLR, 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), and the amplitude of the H-reflex all improved significantly in both groups. After therapy, the study group's VAS and H reflex latency were significantly decreased than the control group's (p < 0.01). In addition, the study group's 6MWD, angle of SLR, and H reflex amplitudes were significantly increased than the control group's (p < 0.01) following therapy.  Conclusion:  High power laser therapy (HPLT) is a successful treatment for patients suffering from chronic discogenic sciatica.