Comparison of the Effectiveness of Scalp Electro-acupuncture and Yao Tong Dian Electro-acupuncture in Patients with Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Abstract
Introduction and objective: Nowadays, the working-age population has occupational disease problems due to sitting in the same position for a long time, resulting in cumulative stress and muscle tension, including low back pain. For treating such a condition, modern medicines commonly used are painkillers and muscle relaxants, while traditional Chinese medicine uses Chinese herbal drugs, traditional acupuncture, scalp acupuncture, Yao Tong Dian acupoint acupuncture, etc. Scalp and Yao Tong Dian acupunctures need fewer needles and both are convenient, safe, and reportedly effective. Moreover, Yao Tong Dian acupoints are more easily located as their anatomical positions are clear. The research team therefore conducted a comparative study of the efficacy of scalp and Yao Tong Dian acupuncture treatments with electrical stimulation.
Methods: Patients with low back pain took part in this randomized controlled trial. Data were collected from a sample of 40 such patients, divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group, 20 patients each; each group received three treatment sessions. The patients’ pain was assessed using the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire and a Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS).
Results: Based on basic statistical analyses, after each treatment in both groups, their pain levels dropped significantly. The differences in the mean pain scores before the first treatment and after the third treatment were 5.6 for the control group and 4.97 for the experimental group.
Discussion: After three treatments, both scalp acupuncture and Yao Tong Dian acupuncture therapies were significantly effective in relieving low back pain; and there were no significant differences in pain reduction between both groups.
Conclusion and recommendation: Treatment of low back pain with scalp electro-acupuncture and Yao Tong Dian electro-acupuncture has similar effectiveness; there were no significant differences. So, both treatments are another option for treating low back pain as they are simple, convenient, effective, fast, and safe that can be used in clinical practice.
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