Efficacy of Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture in Patients with Nonspecific Low Back Pain: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Overview

Journal Trials

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialties General Medicine
Pharmacology

Date 2015 Oct 17

PMID 26472590

Citations 22

Authors

Josielli Comachio

Mauricio Oliveira Magalhaes

Thomaz Nogueira Burke

Luiz Armando Vidal Ramos

Gabriel Peixoto Leao Almeida

Ana Paula M C C Silva

Sarah Rubia Ferreira de Meneses

Jecilene Rosana Costa-Frutuoso

Cinthia Santos Miotto Amorim

Amelia Pasqual Marques

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have shown that acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA) are effective in the treatment of patients with low back pain. However, there is little evidence to support the use of one intervention over the other. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of acupuncture and electroacupuncture in the treatment of pain and disability in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Methods/design: The study design is a randomized controlled trial. Patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain of more than three months duration are recruited at Rehabilitation Center of Taboao da Serra - SP (Brazil). After examination, sixty-six patients will be randomized into one of two groups: acupuncture group (AG) (n = 33) and electroacupuncture group (EG) (n = 33). Interventions will last one hour, and will happen twice a week for 6 weeks. The primary clinical outcomes will be pain intensity as measured and functional disability.

Secondary Outcomes: quality of pain, quality of life. perception of the overall effect, depressive state, flexibility and kinesiophobia. All the outcomes will be assessed will be assessed at baseline, at treatment end, and three months after treatment end. Significance level will be determined at the 5 % level. Results of this trial will help clarify the value of acupuncture and electroacupuncture as a treatment for chronic low back pain and if they are different.

Discussion: Results of this trial will help clarify the value of acupuncture needling and electroacupuncture stimulation of specific points on the body as a treatment for chronic low back pain.

Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02039037 . Register October 30, 2013.

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