Hwangbo SY, Kim YJ, Shin DG, An SJ, Choi H, Lee Y, Lee YJ, Kim JY, Ha IH. Effectiveness and Safety of Progressive Loading-Motion Style Acupuncture Treatment for Acute Low Back Pain after Traffic Accidents: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Healthcare (Basel) 2023;
11:2939. [PMID:
37998431 PMCID:
PMC10671479 DOI:
10.3390/healthcare11222939]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Traffic injuries include acute low back pain (LBP) needing active treatment to prevent chronicity. This two-armed, parallel, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness and safety of progressive loading-motion style acupuncture treatment (PL-MSAT) for acute LBP following traffic accidents.
METHODS
Based on an effect size of 1.03, 104 participants were recruited and divided in a 1:1 ratio into PL-MAST and control groups using block randomization. Both groups underwent integrative Korean medicine treatment (IKMT) daily; only the PL-MSAT group underwent three PL-MSAT sessions. The outcomes were assessed before and after the treatment sessions and at 1 and 3 months post-discharge. The primary outcome was the difference in the numeric rating scale (NRS) for LBP. The secondary outcomes included a visual analog scale for LBP, leg pain status, the Oswestry disability index, lumbar active range of motion (ROM), quality of life, Patient Global Impression of Change, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist adverse events.
RESULTS
In the modified intention-to-treat analysis, 50 and 51 participants were included in the PL-MSAT and control groups. On Day 4, the mean LBP NRS score was 3.67 (3.44-3.90) in the PL-MSAT group, indicating a significantly lower NRS 0.77 (0.44-1.11) compared to 4.44 (4.20-4.68) for the control group (p < 0.001). The PL-MSAT group exhibited greater ROM flexion (-5.31; -8.15 to -2.48) and extension (-2.09; -3.39 to -0.80). No significant differences were found for the secondary outcomes and follow-ups.
CONCLUSIONS
Compared with IKMT alone, PL-MSAT plus IKMT showed significantly better outcomes for reducing pain and increasing the ROM in acute LBP.
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