Laser Acupuncture and Acupressure for Low Back Pain

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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The enrollment criteria were age more than 20 years, low back pain with visual analogue scale (LBP_VAS) ≧3, no regular treatment for low back pain within six weeks, and willing to participate in this study. Exclusion criteria were open wounds on lower back, tumor on the back, ankylosing spondylitis, previous lumbar surgery, coagulopathy or bleeding tendency, or pregnancy.

Official Title
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Laser Acupuncture Combined With Acupressure Improves Low Back Pain and Quality of Life: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Low Back Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Laser acupuncture combined with acupressure


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: age more than 20 years, low back pain with visual analogue scale (LBP_VAS) ≧3 no regular treatment for low back pain within six weeks willing to participate in this study Exclusion Criteria: open wounds on lower back tumor on the back ankylosing spondylitis previous lumbar surgery coagulopathy or bleeding tendency pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Laser acupuncture combined with acupressure (LAA)<br>A 4-week LAA intervention included low-level laser acupuncture and auricular acupressure. Six acupuncture points were selected, and three auricular points. Participants received laser acupuncture on the six selected acupuncture points bilaterally twice a week for 4 weeks. A seed was taped onto each of the three points of the unilateral ear (initially, the left ear), where it remained for five days. Pressing on each of the seeds for one minute three times a day was required, but the stimulation intensity was adjusted depending on the participant's individual tolerance. After five days, the seed was removed, and a new seed was taped on the other ear. | Other: Laser acupuncture combined with acupressure<br>* Participants received laser acupuncture on the six selected acupuncture points bilaterally twice a week for 4 weeks. A seed was taped onto each of the three points of the unilateral ear (initially, the left ear), where it remained for five days. Pressing on each of the seeds for one minute three times a day was required, but the stimulation intensity was adjusted depending on the participant's individual tolerance. The de qi sensation appears to be an established intervention efficacy indicator during auricular acupressure. After five days, the seed was removed, and a new seed was taped on the other ear.<br>* Other names: Control group;|
| No Intervention: Control group<br>Control participants received a similar intervention, but without laser energy output or acupressure. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| pain intensity and interference | Primary pain outcomes were measured by the Chinese version of the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF), which consists of 11 items to measure pain intensity and interference with functionality. Regarding pain severity, 4 items allow patients to rate their pain experience in the past 24 hours or one week at its average, worst, and least levels, as well as their pain experience now, on an 11-point Likert-type scale (0 = no pain, 10 = most severe pain). | Data were collected using the Short Form of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI-SF) : baseline before the intervention, and the change from pain intensity and interference at 1 month. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| life dysfunction | Secondary outcomes were aspects of life dysfunction as measured by the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), which measures disability in daily life due to LBP. This questionnaire consists of 24 items, each one a statement that the patient is asked to indicate whether this statement applies to him/her. | Data were collected using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) : baseline before the intervention, and the change from life dysfunction at 1 month. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Acupuncture, acupressure, low back pain, low-level laser, life dysfunction, hospital nurses