Treatment of Chronic Lower Back Pain With a Combination of Electrical Stimulation, LED, and Laser Therapy

Chronic low back pain is debilitating and difficult to treat. The commercially-available Neurolumen medical device uses a combination of electrical stimulation, low-level laser, and LED therapies to treat pain. Separately, each of these treatments has shown promise for treating chronic pain. In a recent survey by the manufacturer involving over 4700 Veterans who were prescribed a Neurolumen device through their local VA facility, 93% of patients reported a reduction in pain levels, and 52% report reduction in medication, including 6% who reported cessation of all medication. Additionally, average pain levels of 7.01/10 dropped to 3.38/10 after 6 weeks of use (unpublished data). Thus, there is theoretical support and preliminary evidence for the utility of Neurolumen for treating chronic pain; yet, it is unknown whether these findings generalize to other populations. Furthermore, while a reduction in retrospective pain and medication use are promising, prospectively-collected clinical outcomes of Neurolumen use have yet to be examined. This study will examine the feasibility and efficacy of the Neurolumen devices for treating chronic lower back pain using a double-blind pilot randomized controlled trial design with a placebo/waitlist control.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosed with LBP with an average pain score of 4 or higher on DVPRS for > 3 months
• Ability to sit or lay down for 30 minutes during treatments
• Demonstrated ability to correctly use the device and maintain adequate sensor contact throughout (assisted or unassisted)
• Female participants who could possibly become pregnant must agree to use a highly effective contraceptive method from the screening period through the 4 weeks of study intervention and any use during the wait-list control period. These methods include a physical barrier method (e.g., condom) plus an additional hormonal, IUD, tubal ligation, or second type of barrier (e.g., diaphragm). In addition, they must abstain from egg collection or donation during the same period.

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals < 18 or >70 years of age at enrollment
• Persons with Pacemakers, or interstitial pumps, or spinal cord stimulator in ON mode.
• Persons who have received back surgery (open) within the last 3 months
• Pregnant or sexually active female subjects who could possibly become pregnant and who are not willing to use an acceptable form of contraception (barrier method plus one of the following: second barrier, hormonal, IUD, or tubal ligation).