OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Dr Allen\'s Device in lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and non-specific low back pain (NSLBP).
METHODS: A randomised clinical trial was conducted investigating 55 patients with chronic low back pain due to LDH (n = 28) or NSLBP (n = 27), out of which 15 were randomly assigned to the control group and 40 were assigned to the treatment group. The intervention was treatment with Dr Allen\'s Device for 3 mo. Changes in HRQoL were assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale and the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Questionnaire.
RESULTS: Thermobalancing therapy with Dr Allen\'s Device showed a significant reduction in pain in the treatment group (P < 0.001), with no recorded adverse effects. Both pain assessment scales showed a significant improvement in patients\' perception of pain indicating improvement in HRQoL.
CONCLUSIONS: The out-of-hospital use of Thermobalancing therapy with Dr Allen\'s Device for Low Back Treatment relieves chronic low back pain significantly and without adverse effects, improves the level of activity and HRQoL among patients with LDH and NSLBP. This study demonstrates the importance of this safe first-line therapy that can be used for effective at-home management of chronic low back pain.
目的:评价Allen博士装置治疗腰椎间盘突出症(LDH)和非特异性下腰痛(NSLBP)的疗效。
方法:进行了一项随机临床试验,调查了55例因LDH(n=28)或NSLBP(n=27)引起的慢性下腰痛患者,其中15人被随机分配到对照组,40人被分配到治疗组。干预是用艾伦博士的装置治疗3个月。使用数字疼痛评定量表和日本骨科协会背痛问卷评估HRQoL的变化。
结果:使用Allen博士装置的热平衡疗法显示治疗组的疼痛显着减轻(P<0.001),没有记录的不良反应。两种疼痛评估量表均显示患者对疼痛的感知显着改善,表明HRQoL有所改善。
结论:院外使用Allen博士的腰背治疗装置进行热平衡治疗可显著缓解慢性腰痛,且无不良反应,改善LDH和NSLBP患者的活动水平和HRQoL。这项研究证明了这种安全的一线疗法的重要性,该疗法可用于有效地在家中管理慢性下腰痛。