The effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on pain, disability and life quality of chronic low back pain patients

Abstract

Background • Low back pain is the most common form of pain related to the musculoskeletal system disorders. ESWT has been suggested as a new treatment modality in CLBP and its effectiveness has been investigated in a small number of studies. Objective • The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) on pain, functional status, and quality of life compared to placebo in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients. Methods/Design • Prospective, randomized, placebocontrolled, double-blind study. Setting • The study occurred at the University Of Health Sciences, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Bursa, Turkey). Participants • Participants were 45 patients with CLBP. Interventions • Participants were randomized into 2 groups. Group 1 (n = 25) received ESWT and Group 2 (n = 20) received placebo ESWT. Primary Outcome Measures • The patients were assessed by using Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Short-form 36 (SF-36). The data were obtained before treatment (W0), at sixth (W6) and twelfth week (W12). Results • In Group 1, statistically significant improvement was found in all parameters of rest and movement NRS, ODI, HADS and SF-36 except for emotional role at both W6 and W12 compared to W0(P <05). Comparison of the difference scores of the two groups showed significantly superior improvement in Group 1 for all parameters at both W6 and W12 (P <05). Conclusions • The results of our study have shown that ESWT had a statistically significant superiority over placebo for improvement in the parameters of pain, disability, depression, anxiety, and quality of life in the patients with CLBP.