Systemic photobiomodulation in nursing professionals with chronic low back pain.

INTRODUCTION

Chronic low back pain is a frequent complaint at health care services, leading to absenteeism and high treatment costs. Photobiomodulation is a cost-effective, non-pharmacological treatment option.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the cost of systemic photobiomodulation in nursing professionals with chronic low back pain.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional analytical study that analyzed the absorption costing of systemic photobiomodulation in chronic low back pain and was performed in a large university hospital with 20 nursing professionals. Ten systemic photobiomodulation sessions were performed using MM Optics® laser equipment at 660 nm wavelength, 100 mW power, 33 J/cm2 dose, for 30 minutes on the left radial artery. Direct (supplies and direct labor costs) and indirect costs (equipment and infrastructure) were measured.

RESULTS

The mean cost of photobiomodulation was R$ 25.30 ± 0.50, and the mean duration was 1,890 seconds ± 55.0. Regarding the first, fifth, and tenth sessions, labor costs were the highest (66%), followed by infrastructure (22%), supplies (9%), and the laser equipment, which presented the lowest cost (2.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Systemic photobiomodulation was shown to be a low-cost therapy when compared to other therapies. The laser equipment represented the lowest cost in the general composition.