The Natural History of Back Pain after a Randomised Controlled Trial of Acupuncture Vs Usual Care – Long Term Outcomes

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 121-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie L Prady ◽  
Kate Thomas ◽  
Lisa Esmonde ◽  
Simon Crouch ◽  
Hugh MacPherson
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Care Group ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Short Term Treatment ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Introduction There is growing evidence about the effectiveness of acupuncture in the short term treatment of chronic low back pain but little is known about long term outcomes. To address this question we followed up participants of a past randomised controlled trial of acupuncture to assess outcomes after 5.5 to 7 years. Methods A postal questionnaire assessing pain, quality of life, disability, experience with back pain and healthcare resource use was sent to all 239 participants of the York Acupuncture for Back Pain trial. Results Response to the survey was low at 43.9%. Pain measured by the SF-36 Bodily Pain dimension was maintained in the acupuncture group since the last follow up 3.5 to 5 years previously. The usual care group had improved over the intervening years and there was now no evidence of a difference between the groups (difference −0.4 points, 95% confidence interval −10.1 to 9.7). The results were unchanged on sensitivity analysis using multiple imputation. In both groups back pain had not completely resolved and worry about back health was moderate. Physiotherapy and acupuncture were used at similar rates for continuing treatment. Discussion We theorise that exposure to a short course of acupuncture speeds natural recovery from a back pain episode, but improvements plateau after two years. Acupuncture is often accessed privately for long term management of back pain but is rarely available within the health service. While our study methods were robust, the low response rate means that our findings should be interpreted with caution.

scholarly journals Long-term outcome of two forms of randomised benzodiazepine discontinuation

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Oude Voshaar ◽  
W. J. M. J. Gorgels ◽  
A. J. J. Mol ◽  
A. J. L. M. Van Balkom ◽  
J. Mulder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Randomised Controlled

SummaryAbouttwo-thirds of long-term users of benzodiazepines in the population are able to discontinue this drug with the aid of supervised programmes for tapering off. Little is known about the long-term outcome of such programmes, and they have never been compared with usual care. After a 15-month follow-up of a randomised controlled trial comparing such a programme with and without psychotherapy with usual care, we found significantly higher longitudinal abstinence rates in long-term benzodiazepine users who received a benzodiazepine tapering-off programme without psychotherapy (25 out of 69, 36%) compared with those who received usual care (5 out of 33, 15%; P=0.03).

Using Moxibustion in Primary Healthcare to Correct Non-Vertex Presentation: A Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Vas ◽  
José Manuel Aranda-Regules ◽  
Manuela Modesto ◽  
María Ramos-Monserrat ◽  
Mercedes Barón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Acupuncture Point ◽  
Care Group ◽  
Moxibustion Group ◽  
Vertex Presentation ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Objective To compare the effectiveness of additional moxibustion at point BL67 with moxibustion at a non-specific acupuncture point and with usual care alone to correct non-vertex presentation. Methods This was a multicentre randomised controlled trial in which 406 low-risk pregnant women with a fetus in ultrasound breech presentation, with a gestational age of 33–35 weeks, were assigned to (1) true moxibustion at point BL67 plus usual care; (2) moxibustion at SP1, a non-specific acupuncture point (sham moxibustion) plus usual care; or (3) usual care alone. The primary outcome was cephalic presentation at birth. Women were recruited at health centres in primary healthcare. Results In the true moxibustion group, 58.1% of the full-term presentations were cephalic compared with 43.4% in the sham moxibustion group (RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.70) and 44.8% of those in the usual care group (RR 1.29, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.64). The reduction in RR of the primary outcome in women allocated to the true moxibustion group compared with the usual care group was 29.7% (95% CI 3.1% to 55.2%) and the number needed to treat was 8 (95% CI 4 to 72). There were no severe adverse effects during the treatment. Conclusions Moxibustion at acupuncture point BL67 is effective and safe to correct non-vertex presentation when used between 33 and 35 weeks of gestation. We believe that moxibustion represents a treatment option that should be considered to achieve version of the non-vertex fetus. Trial Registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN10634508.

scholarly journals Posterior lamellar versus bilamellar tarsal rotation surgery for trachomatous trichiasis: Long-term outcomes from a randomised controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 100202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esmael Habtamu ◽  
Tariku Wondie ◽  
Zerihun Tadesse ◽  
Bezawit Atinafu ◽  
Bizuayehu Gashaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Trachomatous Trichiasis

Longer-Term Clinical and Economic Benefits of Offering Acupuncture to Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain Assessed as Suitable for Primary Care Management – 3 Month Clinical Outcomes from a Controlled Trial of 241 Patients

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 121-137
Author(s):  
H Macpherson ◽  
K Thomas ◽  
J Brazier ◽  
M Fitter ◽  
L Thorpe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Pragmatic Randomised Controlled Trial

Objectives To undertake a pragmatic randomised controlled trial to test the hypothesis that a population of patients with persistent low back pain, when given access to an acupuncture service, gain more relief from pain than those offered usual management only, for equal or less cost. Methods The study is a pragmatic randomised controlled trial (n=241). Suitable patients are identified by their general practitioners. Patients randomised to the experimental arm are offered the option of referral for up to 10 individualised treatments from one of six qualified acupuncture practitioners. The control group continues to receive usual management from their general practitioner. The primary scale used for measuring change is the Bodily Pain (SF–36) at 3 months and 12 months post randomisation. The main outcome is cost-effectiveness at 12 months. Results A total of 43 general practitioners participated in the trial and 241 patients were randomised. All patients randomised to the option of acupuncture chose to receive treatment. Clinical outcomes at 3 months show that the SF-36 Bodily Pain scores improved by 29.4 and 24.9 points in the acupuncture and normal management group respectively (p=0.125). Patients in the acupuncture group reported lower levels of worry at three months (p<0.001). Conclusions It is possible to conduct a large pragmatic randomised controlled trial of acupuncture in a primary care setting. Acupuncture is seen as an acceptable treatment by patients with low back pain. Clinical outcomes at three months suggest that the acupuncture group are in less pain than the control group.

Long-term effects on income and sickness benefits after work-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy and individual job support: a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 703-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Øverland ◽  
Astrid Louise Grasdal ◽  
Silje Endresen Reme
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Work Participation ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Randomised Controlled

BackgroundThere is moderate quality evidence that integrating work-directed interventions and components from psychological therapies reduces sickness absence in the medium term. We aimed to extend this evidence by examining objectively ascertained income and work participation status up to 4 years after an intervention to improve outcomes among people who struggle with work from common mental disorder.MethodsThe intervention combined components from cognitive behavioural therapy with principles from supported employment, and compared its efficacy with usual care. Outcomes were derived from registry data with no attrition, in a pragmatic multisite randomised controlled trial (N=1193).ResultsThe intervention group had higher income, higher work participation and more months without receiving benefits over the 10-month to 46-month long-term follow-up period after end of treatment, but differences were not statistically significant. For the group on long-term benefits at inclusion, effect sizes were larger and statistically significant.ConclusionThere were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the primary outcome in the total population. In a secondary analysis for the subgroup most at risk of permanent work exclusion, long-term outcomes were favourable in the intervention group compared with usual care. The results support integrated work and health services for people on the severe end of work participation challenges.Trial registration numberNCT01146730.

Long-term outcomes after autograft versus homograft aortic root replacement in adults with aortic valve disease: a randomised controlled trial

The Lancet ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 376 (9740) ◽  
pp. 524-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ismail El-Hamamsy ◽  
Zeynep Eryigit ◽  
Louis-Mathieu Stevens ◽  
Zubair Sarang ◽  
Robert George ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Aortic Valve ◽  
Aortic Root ◽  
Aortic Valve Disease ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Aortic Root Replacement ◽  
Valve Disease ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Randomised Controlled

scholarly journals Home-based Reach-to-Grasp training for people after stroke is feasible: a pilot randomised controlled trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 891-903 ◽  
Author(s):  
AJ Turton ◽  
P Cunningham ◽  
F van Wijck ◽  
HJM Smartt ◽  
CA Rogers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Usual Care Group ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Care Group ◽  
Reach To Grasp ◽  
Arm Pain ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Wolf Motor Function Test ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Objective: To determine feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of home-based Reach-to-Grasp training after stroke. Design: single-blind parallel group RCT. Participants: Residual arm deficit less than 12 months post-stroke. Interventions: Reach-to-Grasp training in 14 one-hour therapist’s visits over 6 weeks, plus one hour self-practice per day (total 56 hours). Control: Usual care. Main Measures: Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), pre-randomisation, 7, 12, 24 weeks post-randomisation. Results: Forty-seven participants (Reach-to-Grasp=24, usual care=23) were randomised over 17 months. Reach-to-Grasp participants received a median (IQR) 14 (13,14) visits, and performed 157 (96,211) repetitions per visit; plus 30 minutes (22,45) self-practice per day. Usual care participants received 10.5 (5,14) therapist visits, comprising 38.6 (30,45) minutes of arm therapy with 16 (6,24) repetitions of functional tasks per visit. Median ARAT scores in the reach-to-grasp group were 8.5 (3.0,24.0) at baseline and 14.5 (3.5,26.0) at 24 weeks compared to median of 4 at both time points (IQR: baseline (3.0,14.0), 24 weeks (3.0,30.0)) in the usual-care group. Median WMFT tasks completed at baseline and 24 weeks were 6 (3.0,11.5) and 8.5 (4.5,13.5) respectively in the reach-to-grasp group and 4 (3.0,10.0), 6 (3.0,14.0) in the usual care group. Incidence of arm pain was similar between groups. The study was stopped before 11 patients reached the 24 weeks assessment. Conclusions: An RCT of home-based Reach-to-Grasp training after stroke is feasible and safe. With ARAT being our preferred measure it is estimated that 240 participants will be needed for a future two armed trial.

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