Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2003; 8: 479
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with vs. without acupuncture in patients with chronic low back pain in general medical practice. This study is part of a large acupuncture research initiative of health insurance companies in Germany (Modellvorhaben der Techniker Krankenkasse).
Patients (age > 18 years) with chronic low back pain were randomised either to an acupuncture group (ACU) or a control group (CON). Over a period of 3 months the ACU received up to 15 acupuncture treatments, whereas the CON received no acupuncture. Both groups were free to use additional conventional treatment. Patients received standardised questionnaires including socio-demographic data, back function (FFbHR) and quality of life (SF-36) at baseline and 3 months.
A total of 2807 patients were randomised (57% female, 52 ± 14 years, 43% male, 54 ± 13 years) in 1279 study centres. After 3 months of treatment we found significant differences between ACU and CON in back function (FFbH-R: ACU 74.0 ± 20.5; CON 65.4 ± 21.7, P < 0.001). Similarly, quality of life on both component scales (P < 0.001) differed significantly between the treatment groups, again in favour of ACU. In both groups approximately 50% of patients used conventional treatment.
Treatment with additional acupuncture in patients with chronic low back pain showed a significant and persistent improvement of back function compared with treatment without acupuncture.
