Reduction of chronic non-specific low back pain: A randomised controlled clinical trial on acupuncture and baclofen

Zaringhalam, J.

Manaheji, H.

Rastqar, A.

Zaringhalam, M.

Chinese medicine

2010

5(1)

15-

RCT

Back Pain

Low Back Pain, Chronic

RCT

Acu Versus > 1 Control

Electroacupuncture

Fixed Acupuncture Protocol

TCM Acupuncture Style

Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture Only

No Treatment Control

Usual Care Control, Pharmaceutical

CAM Control

Acu Versus Acu

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent (80%) and multi-dimensional illness. This study aims to test whether acupuncture, baclofen, or combined treatment with acupuncture and baclofen alleviates symptoms of non-specific chronic LBP in men. METHODS: Eight-four (84) men aged 50-60 years with non-specific chronic LBP were randomly assigned to four groups: the baclofen group received only baclofen (30mg/day); the acupuncture group received only acupuncture at selected acupoints; the acupuncture + baclofen group received combined treatment with acupuncture and baclofen treatments; and the control group received no pain reduction treatment. After five weeks of treatment, visual analogue scale (VAS) and self-reported pain disability with the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) were conducted for outcome measures. RESULTS: After treatment, the baclofen, acupuncture and acupuncture + baclofen groups all had lower VAS and RDQ scores. Significantly higher reduction and improvement in VAS and RDQ scores were found in the acupuncture and acupuncture + baclofen groups compared to the baclofen group. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that the combined treatment of acupuncture and baclofen is more effective than baclofen treatment alone to reduce pain in patients with non-specific chronic LBP. Trial registration number: ACTRN12609000698279.

Back Pain

>1/WK

84

5 Weeks