Gua Sha Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Chronic low back pain is a major public health burden with only limited evidence of effectiveness for complementary and traditional therapies. Gua Sha is a traditional East Asian therapy traditionally used in the treatment of spinal pain. This study aimed to test the efficacy of Gua Sha therapy in patients with chronic low back pain A total of 50 patients with chronic low back pain were randomized to either two Gua Sha treatments (n=25) or a waitlist control group (n=25). Primary outcome measure was current pain intensity on a 100-mm visual analog scale; secondary outcome measures included back-related function (Oswestry Disability Index), movement-related pain (modified Pain on Movement Questionnaire), as well as pressure pain threshold, mechanical detection threshold, and vibration detection threshold.

Detailed Description
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Chronic low back pain is a major public health burden with only limited evidence of effectiveness for complementary and traditional therapies. Gua Sha is a traditional East Asian therapy traditionally used in the treatment of spinal pain. This study aimed to test the efficacy of Gua Sha therapy in patients with chronic low back pain A total of 50 patients with chronic low back pain were randomized to either two Gua Sha treatments (n=25) or a waitlist control group (n=25). Primary outcome measure was current pain intensity on a 100-mm visual analog scale; secondary outcome measures included back-related function (Oswestry Disability Index), movement-related pain (modified Pain on Movement Questionnaire), as well as pressure pain threshold, mechanical detection threshold, and vibration detection threshold.

Official Title
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Gua Sha Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Low Back Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Gua Sha


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: non-specific low back pain at least once weekly for at least the previous 3 months average back pain intensity hat least 40mm on a 100mm visual analog scale (VAS) Exclusion Criteria: specific low back pain due to trauma, disc protrusion, whiplash, congenital deformity of the spine, spinal stenosis, neoplasm, inflammatory rheumatic disease, or oncologic disease dystonia pregnancy invasive treatment of the spine or spinal surgery within the previous 4 weeks oral steroids or anticoagulants hemophilia or a skin condition in the area to be treated started a new treatment for low back pain within the previous month or planning to start a new treatment within the next month

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 75 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Gua Sha therapy<br>Patients' backs were first covered with Tumarol N Balsam. The study physician then applied a round-edged instrument (the inside smooth edged lip of a metal cap) to patients' skin in downward strokes. Patients were treated twice with a 7-day interval. | Other: Gua Sha<br> <br> |
| No Intervention: Waitlist control group<br>Treatments in the control group were not regulated but patients were asked to continue their self-directed medical care. They were offered the Gua Sha therapy once the trial was concluded. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pain intensity | 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging from 0mm meaning 'no pain at all' to 100mm meaning 'the worst pain imaginable' | 12 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pain on movement | Pain on Movement Questionnaire (POM) | 12 weeks | 
| Functional disability | Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) | 12 weeks | 
| Pressure-pain threshold (PPT) | PPT was measured using a digital algometer (Somedic AB, Horby, Sweden). | 12 weeks | 
| Mechanical detection threshold (MDT) | MDT was measured with a set of von Frey filaments (Somedic Sales AB, Horby, Sweden). | 12 weeks | 
| Vibration detection threshold (VDT) | VDT was determined using a Rydel-Seiffer tuning fork (64 Hz, 8/8 scale) | 12 weeks | 
| Adverse events |  | 12 weeks |