Continuous low-level heatwrap therapy for treating acute nonspecific low back pain.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of 8 hours of continuous low-level heatwrap therapy for the treatment of acute nonspecific low back pain (LBP).


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, parallel, single-blind (investigator), placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial.


METHODS
Five community-based research facilities.


METHODS
Two-hundred nineteen subjects, aged 18 to 55 years, with acute nonspecific LBP.


METHODS
Subjects were stratified by baseline pain intensity and gender and randomized to one of the following groups: evaluation of efficacy (heatwrap, n=95; oral placebo, n=96) and blinding (oral ibuprofen, n=12; unheated back, wrap n=16). All treatments were administered for 3 consecutive days with 2 days of follow-up.


METHODS
Primary: day 1 mean pain relief (0- to 5-point verbal response scale). Secondary: muscle stiffness (101-point numeric rating scale), lateral trunk flexibility (fingertip-floor distance), and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire over 3 days of treatment and 2 days of follow-up.


RESULTS
Heatwrap therapy was shown to provide significant therapeutic benefits when compared with placebo during both the treatment and follow-up period. On day 1, the heatwrap group had greater pain relief (1.76+/-.10 vs 1.05+/-.11, P <.001), less muscle stiffness (43.1+/-1.21 vs 47.6+/-1.21, P=.008), and increased flexibility (18.6+/-.44 cm vs 16.5+/-.45 cm, P=.001) compared with placebo. Disability was also reduced in the heatwrap group (5.3 vs 7.4, P=.0002). Adverse events were mild and infrequent.


CONCLUSIONS
Continuous low-level heatwrap therapy was shown to be effective for the treatment of acute, nonspecific LBP.
Nadler
Scott F
SF
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey--New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA. sfnadler@cs.com
Steiner
Deborah J
DJ
Erasala
Geetha N
GN
Hengehold
David A
DA
Abeln
Susan B
SB
Weingand
Kurt W
KW
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome