Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Science

Background: Low back dysfunction is one of the most common reasons for which patients seek treatment. Purpose: To compare between the effects of cold LASER therapy and myofascial release technique for treatment of trigger points that accompany low back dysfunction; as regards to pain improvement, tenderness and mobility enhancement. Subjects, Materials and Methods: Thirty low back dysfunction patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A: 15 subjects received myofascial release treatment in addition to traditional treatment and their ( ± SD) of age, weight, height, and BMI were (45.33 ± 8.64) years, (78 ± 4.68) kg, (168.4 ± 6.76) cm and (27.63 ± 2.69) kg/m² respectively. As for Group B : 15 subjects received cold LASER therapy in addition to traditional treatment and their ( ± SD) of age, weight, height, and BMI were (46.27 ± 8.06) years, (79.07 ± 8.41) kg, (169.4± 6.75) cm and (27.6 ± 3.1) kg/m² respectively. Both groups received 3 sessions weekly for 12 sessions (4 weeks). Data collected from both groups before and after the treatment program included pain measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), tenderness measured by hand-held force algometer and mobility measured by Modified Modified Schober test. Results: results demonstrated that the pre-post treatment measurements of the dependent variables showed a significant improvement in both groups. Meanwhile, results suggested a significant difference between the post-treatment measurements of both groups, which was in favor of group A and the p-values of pain, tenderness and mobility were 0.0001, 0.006 and 0.0001 respectively

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