Therapeutic efficacy of Lofnac Gel via phonophoresis in the management of chronic nonspecific low back pain: A randomised controlled trial

Background

The prevalence of nonspecific low back pain is very high among Nigerians and in Africa. Lofnac Gel is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory gel that has been used to treat musculoskeletal pain, but its efficacy on nonspecific low back pain is inconclusive.

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine the therapeutic efficacy of Lofnac Gel in the management of nonspecific low back pain.

Methods

Seventy patients diagnosed with mechanical low back pain of 3 months' duration were divided into two groups: experimental group (n = 35) and control group (n = 35). Participants in both groups were placed on supervised strengthening exercises for multifidus muscles of the low back. The experimental group was placed on ultrasound phonophoresis therapy with Lofnac Gel (with diclofenac and methyl salicylate as active ingredients), whereas the control group was placed on ultrasound with water as coupling medium. The treatment was applied twice per week for 6 weeks. Present pain intensity and disability were measured before treatment, and in the 3^rd week and 6^th week of treatment. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and post hoc analysis was carried out when necessary.

Results

There was a significant difference between the pre- and posttreatment pain intensity and disability index for both the experimental (F = 17.947, p < 0.001; F = 20.712, p < 0.001) and control (F = 14.791, p < 0.001; F = 10.418, p < 0.001) groups. There was also a significant difference between the experimental and control group data in terms of pain intensity (F = 28.76, p < 0.001) and disability index (F = 39.817, p < 0.001) in the 6^th week.

Conclusion

Exercise combined with Lofnac phonophoresis was more effective in the management of patients with chronic low back pain than exercise and ultrasound alone.