Author:
Siriteerathitikul Poonyaphat,Wongmanakul Saengchai,Kunyalue Monticha,Khamthai Punyawee
Abstract
Abstract
Objective
To compare the efficacy of acupuncture at TUNG’s extra points and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) points for elderly patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) in Thailand.
Methods
A single-blinded, randomized controlled trial with 84 elderly volunteers with CLBP was designed. The patients were randomly assigned either to the group getting acupuncture at TUNG’s extra points or to the group getting acupuncture at TCM points. The treatment period was 30 min per session for seven consecutive days. Before and after treatment, the score of the numeric rating scale (NRS), the back range of motion (BROM), and the back strength were measured and compared.
Results
After treatment, both groups were found with decreased NRS scores and increased BROM (P<0.05), but with no statistical difference in their back strength in comparison with that before treatment in the same group (P>0.05). Regarding the between-group comparisons, no significant differences were found in the NRS score or BROM in the direction of forward flexion and right lateral flexion or the back strength after treatment (P>0.05). However, statistical differences were found in the BROM in directions of back extension (P<0.01) and left lateral flexion (P<0.05).
Conclusion
Acupuncture at TUNG’s extra points can decrease the low back pain NRS score and increase the back strength and the BROM in directions of forward flexion and right lateral flexion, equivalent to acupuncture at TCM points. Acupuncture at TCM points has a better effect in increasing the BROM in directions of back extension and left lateral flexion; acupuncture at TUNG’s extra points is suitable for elderly CLBP patients, and it should be supported and promoted.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Complementary and alternative medicine
Reference36 articles.
1. FATOYE F, GEBRYE T, ODEYEMI I. Real-world incidence and prevalence of low back pain using routinely collected data. Rheumatol Int, 2019, 39(4): 619–626.
2. MEUCCI R D, FASSA A G, FARIA N M. Prevalence of CLBP: systematic review. Rev Saude Publica, 2015, 49(73): 1–10.
3. SAWANT R S, SHINDE S B. Effect of hydrotherapy-based exercises for chronic nonspecific low back pain. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy, 2019, 13(1): 133–138.
4. GBD 2015 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators. Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 310 diseases and injuries, 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study. Lancet, 2015, 388(10053): 1545–1602.
5. HOY D, MARCH L, BROOKS P, BLYTH F, WOOLF A, BAIN C, WILLIAMS G, SMITH E, VOS T, BARENDREGT J, MURRAY C, BURSTEIN R, BUCHBINDER R. The global burden of low back pain: estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2010 Study. Ann Rheum Dis, 2014, 73(6): 968–974.