| Author: | Yeung, Kit-ngan Cecilia |
| Title: | Electro-acupuncture has additional value to back exercise for chronic low back pain |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 2002 |
| Subject: | Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations Backache -- Acupuncture Backache -- Exercise therapy Acupuncture |
| Department: | Multi-disciplinary Studies Department of Rehabilitation Sciences |
| Pages: | xiii, 129 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | There is an extensive utilization of medical and health care from patients with low back pain (LBP) in H.K. Over 30 % of monthly adult referrals to physiotherapy out-patient departments under The Hospital Authority were attributed to LBP. Acupuncture has been considered as an alternative treatment to improve LBP; the reported results vary considerably due to poor quality control of the clinical trials. The objective of this study was to examine whether electro-acupuncture (EA) has additional value to a standard back exercise for the immediate and medium-term effects in pain, disability and functional improvement for chronic low back pain (CLBP). A total of 52 patients was recruited into the study over a period of 12 months. They were randomly allocated to the exercise group (n=26) or the exercise plus EA group (n=26) and treated for a period of 4 weeks. The outcome measurements were Numerical rating scale (NRS), Aberdeen low back pain (LBP) scale, Lumbar spinal active range of movement (AROM) and the reciprocal isokinetic trunk concentric strength. An independent assessor did the assessment. Analysis was based on the intention-to treat principle. A two-factorial (group x time of assessment) repeated measures analysis of variance (R-ANOVA) was used to compare the outcomes between the two groups at baseline, immediate after treatment, 1-month post and 3-month follow-up. The level of significance was set at 5 %. EA was superior to back exercise alone regarding NRS and Aberdeen LBP scale at post treatment and 1-month post. The benefit was able to maintain at 3-month follow-up. No significant difference was observed in spinal AROM and isokinetic trunk concentric strength between two groups at all follow-up period. It was concluded that the combination of EA and back exercise might be an effective option in the treatment of CLBP in the clinical setting to reduce pain and disability This study provided an additional data on the potential role of EA in the treatment of GLBP. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
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| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b16590144.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 3.26 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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