title: Efficacy of acupuncture and electroacupuncture in patients with nonspecific low back pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies have shown that acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA) are effective in the treatment of patients with low back pain. However, there is little evidence to support the use of one intervention over the other. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of acupuncture and electroacupuncture in the treatment of pain and disability in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study design is a randomized controlled trial. Patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain of more than three months duration are recruited at Rehabilitation Center of Taboao da Serra - SP (Brazil). After examination, sixty-six patients will be randomized into one of two groups: acupuncture group (AG) (n = 33) and electroacupuncture group (EG) (n = 33). Interventions will last one hour, and will happen twice a week for 6 weeks. The primary clinical outcomes will be pain intensity as measured and functional disability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  quality of pain, quality of life. perception of the overall effect, depressive state, flexibility and kinesiophobia. All the outcomes will be assessed will be assessed at baseline, at treatment end, and three months after treatment end. Significance level will be determined at the 5 % level. Results of this trial will help clarify the value of acupuncture and electroacupuncture as a treatment for chronic low back pain and if they are different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of this trial will help clarify the value of acupuncture needling and electroacupuncture stimulation of specific points on the body as a treatment for chronic low back pain.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02039037 . Register October 30, 2013.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Communication Science & Disorders, Occupational Therapy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. josiellicomachio@usp.br.
authors.forename: Josielli
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Comachio
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Communication Science & Disorders, Occupational Therapy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. mauriciomag20@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oliveira Magalhães
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Communication Science & Disorders, Occupational Therapy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. thomazburke@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Thomaz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nogueira Burke
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Amapá - Campus Binacional do Oiapoque, Amapá, Brazil. luiz.armando@usp.br.
authors.forename: Luiz Armando
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Vidal Ramos
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Medical School, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil. gabriel_alm@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peixoto Leão Almeida
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Communication Science & Disorders, Occupational Therapy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. apmouracampos@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Ana Paula M C C
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Communication Science & Disorders, Occupational Therapy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. sarahmeneses@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sarah Rúbia
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Ferreira de Meneses
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Communication Science & Disorders, Occupational Therapy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. jecilenecosta@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Jecilene Rosana
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Costa-Frutuoso
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Communication Science & Disorders, Occupational Therapy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. cinthia_miotto@usp.br.
authors.forename: Cinthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Santos Miotto Amorim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Communication Science & Disorders, Occupational Therapy, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. pasqual@usp.br.
authors.forename: Amélia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pasqual Marques
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001938:Brazil; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D015671:Electroacupuncture / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome