Laser Acupuncture Combined With Acupressure Improves Low Back Pain and Quality of Life: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Phase: NA
Conditions: Low Back Pain
Sponsor: En Chu Kong Hospital

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COVER PAGE 
 
 
 
 
 
Official title of the study: Laser acupuncture combined with 
acupressure improves low back pain and 
quality of life: a randomized controlled trial 
NCT number: 
No 
Document date: 
26/04/2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Abstract 
Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common, huge health and socioeconomic 
health problem that affects physiological functions and reduces work efficiency in 
nurses.  
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of low-level laser acupuncture 
combined with acupressure (LAA) on pain intensity, pain interference and life 
dysfunction in hospital nurses with LBP. 
Methods: This single-blinded randomized controlled trial enrolled a convenience 
sample of nurses from one teaching hospital. Seventy-six participants were randomly 
assigned to the LAA group (n=38) receiving low-level laser acupuncture and auricular 
acupressure for four weeks, and a control group (n=38) receiving a similar 
intervention but without laser energy and acupressure. Data were collected using the 
Short Form of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI-SF) and Roland-Morris Disability 
Questionnaire (RDQ) at three time points: baseline before the intervention, and Week 
2 and Week 4 during the intervention.  
Results: After controlling for prior low back pain, the result of linear mixed-effects 
model analysis showed trends in significant between-group differences, including: in 
worst pain occurring in Week 2 (p<0.001) and Week 4 (p<0.001); in current pain in 
Week 4 (p<0.001); in least pain in Week 2 (p=0.032) and Week 4 (β=-1.55, p<0.001); 
in pain interference in Week 2 (p=-0.009) and Week 4 (p＜0.001); and in life 
dysfunction in Week 2 (p<0.001) and Week 4 (β=-3.95, p<0.001).  
Conclusions: This study supports that the 4-week LAA intervention improves pain 
intensity, pain interference, and life dysfunction for hospital nurses with LBP. These 
effects were maintained continuously for at least 4 weeks after the intervention. The 
LAA may be another effective, easy-to-use, non-invasive nonpharmacological 

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analgesic intervention for low back pain. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flow chart of research design and participant allocation 
BPI-SF: Short Form of the Brief Pain Inventory, RMDQ: Roland Morris Disability 
Questionnaire. 
 
 
 
(This article under submission) 
Assessed on Week 2 (n=38) 
･Dropout (n=0) 
Assessed for eligibility (N=82) 
Randomized (N=76) 
LAA group (n=38) 
･Standard care 
･Laser acupuncture and  
  Acupressure 
Control group (n=38) 
･Standard care 
Assessed on Week 2 (n=38) 
･Dropout (n=0) 
Excluded (n=6) 
･Not met criteria (n=4) 
･Declined to participate (n=2)  
Assessed on Week 4 (n=38) 
･Dropout (n=0) 
Assessed on Week 4 (n=38) 
･Dropout (n=0) 
･Characteristics 
･BPI-SF 
･RMDQ 
Written and verbal consent (N=76) 
･BPI-SF 
･RMDQ 
･BPI-SF 
･RMDQ