Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Gynecology and Obstetrics

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Laser acupuncture on lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) in osteoporotic postmenopausal women. Forty osteoporotic postmenopausal women participated in this study, selected from the Outpatient Clinic, Faculty of Physical Therapy. They were divided into two equal groups: group (A), received laser acupuncture therapy three times per week for twelve weeks, in addition to Calcium and vitamin D3 supplement, and group (B), received the same Calcium and vitamin D3 supplement for twelve weeks as group (A). Evaluation was done before and after the treatment program in both groups (A & B) through measuring T- score of lumbar BMD by DEXA, Alkaline phosphatase plasma level and quality of life assessment including intensity of back pain, activities of daily living, jobs around the house and mobility by (QUALEFFO-41) Questionnaire. Results revealed that both groups showed a statistically highly significant improvement in T-score for lumbar (L1-L4) (P=0.0001), activities of daily living (P=0.0001), jobs around the house (P=0.0001) and mobility (P=0.0001) while there was a highly significant reduction in Alkaline phosphatase level (P=0.0001) and intensity of back pain (P=0.0001). When comparing both groups after treatment, there was a statistically highly significant improvement in T-score for lumbar (L1-L4), activities of daily living, jobs around the house and mobility while there was a highly significant reduction in Alkaline phosphatase level and intensity of back pain in favor of group (A). Accordingly, it could be concluded that laser acupuncture is an effective modality for improving lumbar BMD and quality of life in osteoporotic postmenopausal women

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