OBJECTIVE: To determine if infrared laser acupuncture (LA) may have a specific effect in reducing pain and disability in treatment of chronic low back pain (LBP). METHODS: This was a double-blind sham laser controlled trial performed in general practices in Perth, Western Australia. The participants were 144 adults with chronic non-specific LBP. They were randomised to receive eight once-weekly treatments. Laser machines (20 mW, 840 nm diode, power density 0.1 W/cm2) stimulated points in three treatment groups: sham (0 joules/point), low dose (0.2 J/point) and high dose (0.8 joules/point). Participants were followed-up at 1 and 6 weeks, and 6 and 12 months post treatment. Primary outcomes were pain (numerical pain rating scale (NPRS)) and disability (Oswestry Disability Inventory (ODI)) at 6 weeks post treatment. Secondary outcomes included numerical rating scale for limitation of activity, global assessment of improvement, analgesic usage and adverse effects after treatment. RESULTS: The analysis showed no difference between sham and the laser groups at 6 weeks for pain or disability. There was a significant reduction in mean pain and disability in all groups at 6 weeks (p < 0.005); NPRS sham -1.5 (95% CI -2.1 to -0.8), low dose -1.3 (-2.0 to -0.8), high dose -1.1 (-1.7 to -0.5); ODI sham -4.0 (-7.1 to -1.0), low dose -4.1 (-6.7 to -1.5), high dose -2.6 (-5.7 to 0.5). All secondary outcomes also showed clinical improvement over time but with no differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: LA using energy density range (0 to 4 J/cm2) for the treatment of chronic non-specific LBP resulted in clinical improvement unrelated to laser stimulation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.anzctr.org.au ACTRN12610000043033.

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