Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: The Effects of a Single Session of Ear Acupuncture in Pain Sensation and Body Balance
Brief Summary: The aim of the present project is to examine the effects of single session of French ear acupuncture on pain sensation and on postural control in individuals with chronic low back pain.

We hypothesize that:

I) The application of French ear acupuncture at specific points to reduce low back pain would decrease pain intensity in patients with chronic low back pain.

II) The pain reduction would be greater for those individuals with low back pain who receive application of French ear acupuncture at specific points to reduce low back pain compared with patients who receive placebo treatment.

III) The application of French ear acupuncture at specific points to reduce back pain will have positive effect on the performance of the postural control system.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Back/neck pain with or without headache for at least two weeks and at least three times per week
* Resident of Stockholm County
* Literate in Swedish
* Willing and able to comply with study requirements

Exclusion Criteria:

* Specific pathology and severe causes of back/neck pain such as malignant disease, vertebral fractures and severe or progressive neurological symptoms.
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* diagnosis of chronic low back pain (for at least 3 months) confirmed by a consultant
* indication for treatment of low back pain with acupuncture confirmed by a consultant
* at least 40 mm on a VAS pain scale

Exclusion Criteria:

* acupuncture during the last 6 months
* start of a new therapy for low back pain within the last 4 weeks
* pregnancy
* substance or drug abuse
C: Inclusion criteria:

* Diagnosis of low back pain including lumbago, unspecified backache, sprains and strains of sacroiliac, lumbar, sacral, or unspecified regions of the spine
* Back pain must be of at least 3 months duration and rated at least 3 on a symptom bothersomeness scale

Exclusion criteria:

* non-mechanical causes or potential causes of low back pain (i.e. sciatica, underlying systemic or visceral disease, pregnancy, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, cancer or unexplained weight loss, recent vertebral fracture)
* previous treatment with acupuncture
* inappropriate candidate for acupuncture (i.e. severe clotting disorders or on anticoagulant medication, heart pacemakers)
* characteristics complicating the interpretation of the findings (severe or progressive neurologic deficits, back surgery within the prior three years, planning to seek other treatment for back pain)
* characteristics related to ability to complete the study protocol (unable to speak English, plans to move out of town)
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Complaints of back pain lasting more than 12 weeks
* Pain referred larger than 4 according to the 11-points pain scale

Exclusion Criteria:

* No other musculoskeletal injury,
* Individuals diagnosed with structural damage
* Individuals who performed a spine surgery
* Individuals who have sensory abnormalities or dizziness.
* Individuals may not be in physical therapy for reducing low back pain.
* Painkillers or anti-inflammatories use 24 hours before the experimental procedure.

Answer: D