Acupuncture for chronic nonspecific low back pain in middle-aged and older patients: A randomized controlled trial

Objective

To observe the specific effects of acupuncture in middle-aged and older patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP).

Methods

Sixty-six patients with CNSLBP were randomized into the acupuncture or sham acupuncture groups (n = 33). In the acupuncture group, penetrating acupuncture with a long needle was delivered at Ashi points (painful/sensitive points), and the needles were manipulated by rotating technique after deqi till patients felt distending pain. The needles were retained in place for 30 min. Acupuncture was given three times per week for 4 weeks. In the sham acupuncture group, shallow needling was performed at non-meridian, non-acupoint, non-painful, and non-sensitive points. The needle retention and duration of treatment were the same as those of the acupuncture group before treatment, after the first intervention, after the whole treatment, and in follow-up visit (4 weeks after the whole treatment). The scores of the visual analog scale(VAS) for pain, range of movement (ROM) of the spine, and simplified Oswestry Dysfunction Index (ODI) were observed separately.

Results

Compared to the outcomes before treatment, the VAS score, spinal ROM, and simplified ODI score were lower after the first intervention, after treatment, and in follow-up visits in the acupuncture group, indicating the statistical significance (P < 0.05). When compared with the sham acupuncture group, the VAS score, spinal ROM, and simplified ODI score were significantly lower in the acupuncture group after the first intervention, after treatment, and in follow-up visit (P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 90.9% in the acupuncture group, which was significantly higher than that (75.76 %) in the sham acupuncture group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Acupuncture has a specific effect on CNSLBP in middle-aged and older patients and a superior effect on immediate analgesia.