Effect of Polarized Light Therapy on Low Back Pain in Premenstrual Syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of polarized light therapy (Bioptron) on low back pain in premenstrual syndrome. Subjects: Sixty patients with PMS complaining of low back pain were randomly selected from the Out-Patient Clinic of Gynecology Department of El Minya University Hospital. Their ages ranged from 18 to 35 years old and BMI didn't exceed 30 kg/m². Design: Randomized controlled study. Participants were randomly divided into two equal groups (A & B). Group A (Control): 30 women received traditional medical treatment. Group B (Study): 30 women received polarized light therapy (average energy density 2.4 J/cm², 15 minutes/session, three sessions/week for 8 weeks) in addition to traditional treatment. Assessment: Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pain pressure threshold using a pressure algometer, and functional disability using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before and after treatment. Results: Within groups; there was a statistically significant decrease in the mean values of VAS and ODI & significant increase in pain pressure threshold in both groups A and B post treatment. Between groups; Post treatment, there was a statistically significant difference between both groups A and B in the mean values of VAS, ODI and pain pressure threshold with favor of group B. Conclusion: Polarized light therapy is effective in reducing low back pain and improving functional ability in women with PMS.