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Research: KERR and co-workers,
Listed in Issue 98
Abstract
KERR and co-workers, Rehabilitation Sciences Research Group, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ulster at Jordanstown, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, have conducted a trial of acupuncture in the management of chronic low back pain.
Background
The randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial was aimed at assessing how efficient acupuncture is in relieving chronic low back pain.
Methodology
60 chronic low back pain patients were recruited and randomly allocated to receive either acupuncture or placebo transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS). Patients were treated weekly for 6 weeks. Blinded assessments were carried out pre and post treatment using the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and Pain VAS, the SF-36 questionnaire and a simple range of motion measurement. 46 patients completed the trial and were followed up at 6 months.
Results
There were significant improvements in both groups of patients over the course of the treatment, with no significant difference between the two groups. The data at 6 months follow-up suggest that acupuncture produced a better response.
Conclusion
From this small sample size it is not possible to assess whether acupuncture is an effective treatment for chronic low back pain, and more research is needed.
References
Kerr DP, Walsh DM, Baxter D. Acupuncture in the management of chronic low back pain: a blinded randomized controlled trial. Clinical Journal of Pain 19 (6): 364-370, Nov 2003.
Comment
Six sessions of any treatment are not long enough, and especially in a chronic condition like chronic low back pain no results can reasonably be expected. Even a suggestion of an effect at 6 months post treatment sounds encouraging and is definitely worth following up with longer treatment and larger sample sizes.
