The effectiveness of relaxation acupoint stimulation and acupressure with aromatic lavender essential oil for non-specific low back pain in Hong Kong: a randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of acupoint stimulation with electrodes combined with acupressure using an aromatic essential oil (lavender) as an add-on-treatment on pain relief and enhancing the physical functional activities among adults with sub-acute or chronic non-specific low back pain.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
The community centre, Old-Aged Home and Women Workers Association, Hong Kong.


METHODS
8-session relaxation acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with lavender oil over a 3-week period. The control group received usual care only.


METHODS
Changes from baseline to the end of treatment were assessed in pain intensity (by Visual Analogue Scale) and duration; lateral fingertip-to-ground distance in centimetres; walking time and interference on daily activities.


RESULTS
The baseline VAS scores for the intervention and control groups were 6.38 (S.E.M. = 0.22) and 5.70 (S.E.M. = 0.37) out of 10, respectively ( P=0.24 ). One week after the end of treatment, the intervention group had 39% greater reduction in VAS pain intensity than the control group ( P=0.0001 ), improved walking time ( P=0.05 ) and greater lateral spine flexion range ( P=0.01 ).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that 8-sessions of acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with aromatic lavender oil were an effective method for short-term LBP relief. No adverse effects were reported. To complement mainstream medical treatment for sub-acute LBP, the combined therapy of acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with aromatic lavender oil may be one of the choices as an add-on therapy for short-term reduction of LBP.
Yip
Y B
YB
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, PR China. hsvyip@inet.polyu.edu.hk
Tse
S H M
SH
D019050:Acupressure / Q000379:methods*; D015667:Acupuncture Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D027523:Lavandula; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013035:Spasm / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; C045718:lavender oil