Treatment of low back pain by acupressure and physical therapy: randomised controlled trial

doi:10.1136/bmj.38744.672616.AE

BMJ, doi: 10.1136/bmj.38744.672616.AE, (Published 17 February 2006)

RESEARCH

Treatment of low back pain by acupressure and physical therapy: randomised controlled trial

Lisa Li-Chen Hsieh ¹, Chung-Hung Kuo ², Liang Huei Lee ³, Amy Ming-Fang Yen ¹, Kuo-Liong Chien ¹, Tony Hsiu-Hsi Chen ¹^*

¹ Institute of Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
² Hsin Kao Mei Orthopedic Special Clinic, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
³ Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

^* Correspondence to: stony{at}episerv.cph.ntu.edu.tw.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure in termsof disability, pain scores, and functional status.

Design Randomisedcontrolled trial.

Setting Orthopaedic clinic in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Participants129 patients with chronic low back pain.

Intervention Acupressureor physical therapy for one month.

Main outcome measures Selfadministered Chinese versions of standard outcome measures forlow back pain (primary outcome: Roland and Morris disabilityquestionnaire) at baseline, after treatment, and at six monthfollow-up.

Results The mean total Roland and Morris disabilityquestionnaire score after treatment was significantly lowerin the acupressure group than in the physical therapy groupregardless of the difference in absolute score (-3.8, 95% confidenceinterval -5.7 to -1.9) or mean change from the baseline (-4.64,-6.39 to -2.89). Acupressure conferred an 89% (95% confidenceinterval 61% to 97%) reduction in significant disability comparedwith physical therapy. The improvement in disability score inthe acupressure group compared with the physical group remainedat six month follow-up. Statistically significant differencesalso occurred between the two groups for all six domains ofthe core outcome, pain visual scale, and modified Oswestry disabilityquestionnaire after treatment and at six month follow-up.

ConclusionsAcupressure was effective in reducing low back pain in termsof disability, pain scores, and functional status. The benefitwas sustained for six months.

(Accepted 10 January 2006)

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Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Accupressure & Physical Therapy Design Flaw: Douglas M. White, DPT, OCS
bmj.com, 18 Feb 2006 [Full text]
Re: Accupressure & Physical Therapy Design Flaw: Tony Hsiu-Hsi Chen
bmj.com, 20 Feb 2006 [Full text]
Use of Cognitive re-structuring and Bio-feed back procedures for back pain: Dr S S RAIZ M ISMAIL
bmj.com, 20 Feb 2006 [Full text]
Variability in physical therapy between countries: Andrew Walker
bmj.com, 24 Feb 2006 [Full text]
A patients view: John Madura
bmj.com, 24 Feb 2006 [Full text]
Re: Variability in physical therapy between countries: Tony Hsiu-Hsi Chen
bmj.com, 27 Feb 2006 [Full text]
Re: Re: Accupressure & Physical Therapy Design Flaw: Douglas M. White
bmj.com, 27 Feb 2006 [Full text]
Re: Re: Re: Accupressure & Physical Therapy Design Flaw: Tony Hsiu-Hsi Chen
bmj.com, 2 Mar 2006 [Full text]
No standard PT treatment: Eric Allen
bmj.com, 29 Jun 2006 [Full text]
US Validation of Treatment Program: Randolph J Wagner
bmj.com, 19 Sep 2006 [Full text]
Comment regarding responses: Jay Defigh
bmj.com, 30 Jun 2007 [Full text]