Positive Health Online

Abstract

MACPHERSON and colleagues, Foundation for Traditional Chinese Medicine, York UK conducted a pilot study regarding the use of acupuncture for low back pain .

Background

Methodology

The authors wished to pilot procedures to be used later in a randomised controlled trial. The design of the pilot was an uncontrolled clinical trial, conducted in York, UK. 20 patients with low back pain of duration 1 month or greater received 10 sessions of individualised acupuncture from a traditional acupuncturist. The main outcome measures included change in Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire; present pain intensity scale; effect on daily living scale and a general health questionnaire at post-treatment and at 6 month follow-up.

Results

14 patients completed follow-up. At baseline, patients had similar severity scores to those referred to an NHS outpatient clinic. Following treatment, there were statistically significant improvement in Oswestry, present pain intensity, effect upon daily living and physical functioning, social functioning, body pain, vitality and mental health sub-scales, which were also found at 6 month follow-up. Oswestry scores demonstrated reduced pain levels at 6 months compared to post-treatment, reduced approximately 40% from baseline.

Conclusion

Although improvements in pain and quality in life may simply be due to the natural course of back pain, the promising responses in this research justify further research. The procedures used in this pilot study are feasible and appropriate for a randomised controlled; drop-out could be reduced by a more careful patient monitoring.

References

McPherson H et al. Acupuncture for low back pain: results of a pilot study for a randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 7(2): 83-90. Jun 1999.