Effect of acupuncture in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: a blind randomized clinical trial

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic non-specific low back pain (NSLBP).

Methods

It is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. It was developed at the outpatient clinic of the physiotherapy department at the Federal University of Sergipe. 36 individuals were selected and allocated into 2 groups, but finalized 18 subjects in the Real Acupuncture group (RA) and 17 in the Placebo Acupuncture group (PA), due to an individual not completing the treatment with acupuncture or Placebo Acupuncture, being evaluated the intensity and characterization of pain. Subjects were treated three times a week, on alternate days, totaling 10 sessions.

Results

After each of session, pain intensity was significantly lower at rest (p < 0.028) and movement (p < 0.035) in the RA group. In the PA group, pain intensity at rest (p = 0.008) and movement (p = 0.038) were significantly lower after 10 sessions. There was a significant reduction in the number of words selected (NWC; Br-MPQ) in the RA group when comparing sessions 1 and 10 (p = 0.004). And there was a significant decrease in NWC between 1st and 10th session in the PA group (p = 0.017). Regarding the pain classification index (PCI), there was a significant reduction (p = 0.001) when comparing the 1st and 10th session in the RA group. When comparing RA and PA groups, the only significant difference was that CST of the right lower back was significantly lower in the AP group after the 1st and 10th sessions (p = 0.028).

Conclusion

It was concluded that acupuncture on NSLBP patients in the RA group decreased intensity of pain after each session, the NWC and the PCI in the measurement of pain. However, there was no evidence of improvement in sensory tests, psychoemotional aspects and quality of life.