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Short-term effect of acupuncture dry needle in treatment of chronic mechanical low back pain: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences
July 1, 2024
S M Alrawaili et al. (7 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to assess the short-term efficacy of dry needle acupuncture in treating chronic mechanical low back pain (CMLBP) compared to muscle strengthening and stretching exercises.

Results Summary

The study found that dry needle acupuncture significantly improved flexion and extension range of motion, reduced pain intensity, and decreased functional impairment compared to the control group. Group A (acupuncture) showed superior outcomes in pain severity, functional debility, and back ROM post-treatment.

Population

30 individuals aged 20-45 with nonspecific low back pain.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (10)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
acupuncture treatment with a dry needle
increase
flexion range of motion
individuals with nonspecific low back pain
-
increased significantly
#1
acupuncture treatment with a dry needle
increase
extension range of motion
individuals with nonspecific low back pain
-
increased significantly
#2
acupuncture treatment with a dry needle
decrease
pain intensity
individuals with nonspecific low back pain
-
decreased significantly
#3
acupuncture treatment with a dry needle
decrease
bending to the right
individuals with nonspecific low back pain
-
decreased significantly
#4
acupuncture treatment with a dry needle
decrease
bending to the left
individuals with nonspecific low back pain
-
decreased significantly
#5
acupuncture treatment with a dry needle
decrease
functional impairment
individuals with nonspecific low back pain
-
decreased significantly
#6
dry needle acupuncture
decrease
chronic mechanical low back pain
those suffering from persistent mechanical low back pain
-
may be a beneficial modality in treating
#7
dry needle acupuncture
decrease
pain intensity
those suffering from persistent mechanical low back pain
-
relieving
#8
dry needle acupuncture
increase
functional debility
those suffering from persistent mechanical low back pain
-
improving
#9
dry needle acupuncture
increase
ROM
those suffering from persistent mechanical low back pain
-
improving
#10
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In today's industrialized world, between sixty and ninety percent of the working-age population experiences low back discomfort. Chronic mechanical low back pain (CMLBP), the most common ailment among working-age people in contemporary industrial society, causes a major economic burden due to the widespread use of medical services and the absence of work. For those suffering from persistent mechanical low back pain, this experiment aimed to assess the efficacy of using acupuncture dry needles in the short term. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our research included 30 individuals with nonspecific low back pain; their ages varied from 20 to 45. The participants were divided into two parallel groups using a random process: 15 individuals in group A had acupuncture treatment with a dry needle placed to specified locations on their backs, whereas 15 individuals in group B participated in muscle strengthening and stretching exercises. Both before and after therapy, researchers examined the lumbar range of motion (ROM) in four directions: flexion, extension, bilateral side bending, as well as pain intensity and functional impairment. RESULTS: We examined the data for normality and covariance homogeneity using the Shapiro-Wilk and Box's tests, respectively. The variables of interest that were investigated were compared across various test groups and measurement periods using a 2x2 mixed design-multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). We used a significance threshold of 0.05. When comparing the two groups after treatment, it was found that the flexion and extension range of motion increased significantly (p<0.05), while the pain intensity, bending to the right and left, and functional impairment decreased significantly (p<0.05). The results of multiple pairwise comparisons showed a noteworthy difference in pain severity, functional debility, and back ROM between the two groups before and after treatment (p<0.05), with group A showing an advantage over group B after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the study results, dry needle acupuncture may be a beneficial modality in treating chronic mechanical low back pain by relieving pain intensity, improving functional debility, and improving ROM.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansLow Back PainAdultMiddle AgedFemaleAcupuncture TherapyMaleYoung AdultNeedlesChronic PainRange of Motion, ArticularDry NeedlingTreatment OutcomePain Measurement
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations1
Citations/Year1.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.50
Normalized Score0.69
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