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/cm(2) 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.