title: Short-Term Effect of Laser Acupuncture on Lower Back Pain: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Trial.
abstract: Purpose. This trial was performed to investigate the efficacy of laser acupuncture for the alleviation of lower back pain. Methods. This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Fifty-six participants were randomly assigned to either the laser acupuncture group (n = 28) or the sham laser acupuncture group (n = 28). Participants in both groups received three treatment sessions over the course of one week. Thirteen acupuncture points were selected. The visual analogue scale for pain, pressure pain threshold, Patient Global Impression of Change, and Euro-Quality-of-Life Five Dimensions questionnaire (Korean version) were used to evaluate the effect of laser acupuncture treatment on lower back pain. Results. There were no significant differences in any outcome between the two groups, although the participants in both groups showed a significant improvement in each assessed parameter relative to the baseline values. Conclusion. Although there was no significant difference in outcomes between the two groups, the results suggest that laser acupuncture can provide effective pain alleviation and can be considered an option for relief from lower back pain. Further studies using long-term intervention, a larger sample size, and rigorous methodology are required to clarify the effect of laser acupuncture on lower back pain.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: KM Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Boncho
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ku
authors.affiliation: KM Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jaeuk U
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Technology Licensing & Commercialization Team, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yu Jung
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon University, Daejeon 34520, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Hui
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Solco Biomedical Co., Ltd., Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi 17704, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heo
authors.affiliation: Solco Biomedical Co., Ltd., Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi 17704, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyo-Joon
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jun-Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee