Different frequencies of acupuncture treatment for chronic low back pain: an assessor-blinded pilot randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the feasibility of a main RCT to compare the effectiveness of two frequencies (2 versus 5 times/week) of acupuncture treatment for chronic low back pain (LBP).


METHODS
Participants (n=30) with chronic LBP were randomised into two groups to receive 10 acupuncture treatments: Low Frequency Group, 2 times/week for five weeks (n=15); High Frequency Group, 5 times/week for two weeks (n=15). The following outcomes were measured blindly at baseline, 2 weeks, 5 weeks, 3 months and 1 year: pain on a VAS, functional disability using the RMDQ, quality of life using the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP-2), psychological impact with the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) and Pain Locus of Control (PLC) questionnaire. Two objective outcomes, the Shuttle Walk Test (SWT) and Lateral Trunk Flexibility (LTF), were also measured.


RESULTS
The compliance rate was 100% for each group. Some of the measurements were shown to be sensitive (VAS, RMDQ, MYMOP-2 Wellbeing). 66-330 participants would be required for a fully powered non-inferiority trial. The groups were balanced at baseline for LBP and demographic characteristics. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of any of the outcomes, at each follow-up time point. It was notable however that the clinically important improvement in terms of pain, functional disability, quality of life, and SWT in both groups was achieved within the first two weeks, which was maintained at one year follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
It is feasible to conduct a main RCT, to compare different frequencies of acupuncture for LBP, using sensitive measurements. Also the trend for early clinically important improvement within a minimum of four measurements is worthy of further study.
Yuan
Jing
J
School of Health Sciences, University of Ulster, Co Antrim, United Kingdom.
Purepong
Nithima
N
Hunter
Ruth Fiona
RF
Kerr
Daniel Paul
DP
Park
Jongbae
J
Bradbury
Ian
I
McDonough
Suzanne
S
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016037:Single-Blind Method