Mustafa Savaş TORLAK, Hasan GERÇEK, Burcu DURSUN, Beyza Nur ÇAVUŞ, Rabia KARAKAYA
Gümüşhane Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi - 2026;15(3):811-820
Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common condition leading to disability and reduced quality of life. Current guidelines suggest a multidisciplinary approach; however, the comparative effectiveness of adjunct modalities like therapeutic ultrasound and phonophoresis remains uncertain. Objective: To compare the effects of therapeutic ultrasound and phonophoresis on pain, functional disability, and flexibility in patients with CLBP. Method: Sixty patients with CLBP were randomly assigned to the phonophoresis group (G1), ultrasound group (G2), or control group (G3) (n=20 each). All groups received a standard physiotherapy program including TENS, infrared therapy, and exercise for two weeks. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), disability using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and flexibility using the Sit-and-Reach Test. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was utilized to compare post-treatment outcomes while adjusting for age and baseline heterogeneity. Results: All groups showed significant within-group improvements in pain and disability after treatment (p<0.001). Inter-group comparisons revealed no significant differences between groups in terms of pain intensity (p=0.559) or disability scores (p=0.050). After adjusting for age and baseline flexibility levels, no statistically significant difference was found in flexibility improvements among the three groups (p=0.346). Conclusion: All three groups demonstrated statistically significant intra-group improvements in pain, functional status, and flexibility. However, the addition of therapeutic ultrasound or phonophoresis to a standard physical therapy program (consisting of TENS, infrared, and exercise) did not provide any significant clinical superiority over the standard program alone. These modalities should be considered as optional adjuncts rather than standalone superior interventions in the management of chronic low back pain.
