Laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure improves low-back pain and quality of life in nurses: A randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effect of low-level laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure (LAA) on pain intensity, pain interference, and quality of life in nurses with low-back pain (LBP).
Results Summary
The study found that 4-week LAA intervention significantly reduced pain intensity and interference while improving quality of life, with effects lasting at least 4 weeks post-intervention. Recurrence rates of LBP were lower in the LAA group compared to the control group.
Population
Hospital-based nurses from a teaching hospital in Taiwan, China.
Effective Dosage
Low-level laser acupuncture and auricular acupressure administered for 4 weeks (specific dosage not detailed).
Duration
4 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
low-level laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure (LAA) | decrease | pain intensity | hospital-based nurses with low-back pain (LBP) | - | reduced | #1 |
low-level laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure (LAA) | decrease | pain interference | hospital-based nurses with low-back pain (LBP) | - | reduced | #2 |
low-level laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure (LAA) | increase | quality of life | hospital-based nurses with low-back pain (LBP) | - | improved | #3 |
low-level laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure (LAA) | decrease | level of current pain | hospital-based nurses with low-back pain (LBP) | - | showed trends in significant between-group differences | #4 |
low-level laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure (LAA) | decrease | worst pain | hospital-based nurses with low-back pain (LBP) | - | showed trends in significant between-group differences | #5 |
low-level laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure (LAA) | decrease | least pain | hospital-based nurses with low-back pain (LBP) | - | showed trends in significant between-group differences | #6 |
low-level laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure (LAA) | decrease | pain interference | hospital-based nurses with low-back pain (LBP) | - | showed trends in significant between-group differences | #7 |
low-level laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure (LAA) | decrease | life dysfunction | hospital-based nurses with low-back pain (LBP) | - | showed trends in significant between-group differences | #8 |
low-level laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure (LAA) | neutral | LBP recurrence | hospital-based nurses with low-back pain (LBP) | 0% at the 4th week and 36.89% at the 8th week after the end of intervention | had recurrence rates | #9 |
sham laser acupuncture treatment without laser energy output | neutral | LBP recurrence | hospital-based nurses with low-back pain (LBP) | 69.44% at the 4th week and 36.11% at the 8th week after the end of intervention | had recurrence rates | #10 |
BACKGROUND: Low-back pain (LBP) in nurses is a major health concern that affects their quality of life and ability to work, with consequences for their economic status. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the effect of low-level laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure (LAA) on pain intensity, pain interference and quality of life in nurses with LBP. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This randomized controlled trial recruited a convenience sample of hospital-based nurses from one teaching hospital in Taiwan, China. Participants were randomly assigned to the LAA group (n = 38) receiving low-level laser acupuncture and auricular acupressure for 4 weeks, and the control group (n = 38) receiving only sham laser acupuncture treatment without laser energy output. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Data were collected for the primary pain outcome using the Short Form of the Brief Pain Inventory, while the secondary outcome, quality of life, was evaluated using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. Both primary and secondary outcomes were scored before the intervention, and after 2-week and 4-week intervention. The rate of LBP recurrence was evaluated at the 4th week and 8th week after the end of intervention. RESULTS: After controlling for prior pain, the result of linear mixed model analysis showed trends in significant between-group differences in the level of current pain occurring in week 4 (P < 0.001), worst pain in week 2 (P < 0.001) and week 4 (P < 0.001), least pain in week 2 (P = 0.032) and week 4 (P < 0.001), pain interference in week 2 (P = 0.009) and week 4 (P < 0.001), and in the life dysfunction in week 2 (P < 0.001) and week 4 (P < 0.001). Recurrence rates of LBP at the 4th and 8th weeks after the end of intervention were 0% and 36.89% in the LAA group, and 69.44% and 36.11% in the control group. CONCLUSION: This study shows that 4-week LAA intervention reduced pain intensity and pain interference, and improved quality of life for hospital-based nurses with LBP. These effects were maintained continuously for at least 4 weeks after the intervention. The nonpharmacological intervention, LAA, may be another efficacious, feasible, noninvasive, analgesic intervention for LBP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (registration number NCT04423445).