Acupuncture for Acute Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Pilot Randomised Non-Penetrating Sham Controlled Trial

摘要: Summary Objective A pilot study to assess the feasibility of a trial investigate efficacy acupuncture compared placebo needling for treatment acute low back pain (LBP). As part this, was designed establish credibility control, and provide data inform power analysis determine numbers future trial. Study design patient assessor blinded randomized controlled Setting Primary care health centre facility, South East Belfast Trust, Northern Ireland. Patients from physiotherapy waiting list (n = 48) with LBP less than 12 weeks duration. Outcome measures Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), medication use an exit questionnaire were completed at baseline, end treatment, 3 months follow up. Results Ninety-four percent (45/48) patients assigned 83% (40/48) follow-up. The sham needle used here proved be credible: 91.7% in group believed they had received acupuncture, 95.8% verum group. Differences baseline characteristics accounted using ANCOVA. There no significant difference between groups on RMDQ over time. For pain, only statistically up (worst VAS, point estimate, 18.7, 95% CI 1.5–36.0, p = 0.034). majority taking some form analgesic start (n = 44; 92%), significantly fewer tablets control (mean (S.D.): 1.0 ± 0.3) 4.2 ± 0.6, p  Conclusions This has demonstrated penetrating non-penetrating primary care; 120 participants would required fully powered this credible control.