scholarly journals Acupuncture for Low Back Pain: An Overview of Systematic Reviews

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lizhou Liu ◽  
Margot Skinner ◽  
Suzanne McDonough ◽  
Leon Mabire ◽  
George David Baxter
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
External Validity ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Functional Improvement ◽  
Favorable Effect ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Short Term

Objective. As evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture for low back pain (LBP) is inconsistent, we aimed to critically appraise the evidence from relevant systematic reviews.Methods. Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning acupuncture and LBP were searched in seven databases. Internal validity and external validity of systematic reviews were assessed. Systematic reviews were categorized and high quality reviews assigned greater weightings. Conclusions were generated from a narrative synthesis of the outcomes of subgroup comparisons.Results. Sixteen systematic reviews were appraised. Overall, the methodological quality was low and external validity weak. For acute LBP, evidence that acupuncture has a more favorable effect than sham acupuncture in relieving pain was inconsistent; it had a similar effect on improving function. For chronic LBP, evidence consistently demonstrated that acupuncture provides short-term clinically relevant benefits for pain relief and functional improvement compared with no treatment or acupuncture plus another conventional intervention.Conclusion. Systematic reviews of variable quality showed that acupuncture, either used in isolation or as an adjunct to conventional therapy, provides short-term improvements in pain and function for chronic LBP. More efforts are needed to improve both internal and external validity of systematic reviews and RCTs in this area.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of effects of acupuncture on pain and function in non-specific low back pain

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 235-243
Author(s):  
Yun-xia Li ◽  
Su-e Yuan ◽  
Jie-qiong Jiang ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
Yue-jiao Wang
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Functional Improvement ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Significant Difference

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) through systematic review of published randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: Studies were identified in electronic databases from their inception to February 2018, and were grouped according to the control interventions. The outcomes of interest were pain intensity and disability. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias criteria and the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) checklist. The review was reported according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Results: 25 trials (n=7587 participants) were identified and included in a meta-analysis. The results showed that acupuncture was more effective at inducing pain relief than: no treatment (standardised mean difference (SMD) −0.69, 95% CI −0.99 to −0.38); sham acupuncture in the immediate term (SMD −0.33, 95% CI −0.49 to −0.18), short term (SMD −0.47, 95% CI −0.77 to −0.17), and intermediate term (SMD −0.17, 95% CI −0.28 to −0.05); and usual care in the short term (SMD −1.07, 95% CI −1.81 to −0.33) and intermediate term (SMD −0.43, 95% CI −0.77 to −0.10). Also, adjunctive acupuncture with usual care was more effective than usual care alone at all time points studied. With regard to functional improvement, the analysis showed a significant difference between acupuncture and no treatment (SMD −0.94, 95% CI −1.57 to −0.30), whereas the other control therapies could not be assessed. Conclusion: We draw a cautious conclusion that acupuncture appears to be effective for NSLBP and that acupuncture may be an important supplement to usual care in the management of NSLBP.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Efficacy, Cost-Effectiveness, and Safety of Selected Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Neck and Low-Back Pain

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea D. Furlan ◽  
Fatemeh Yazdi ◽  
Alexander Tsertsvadze ◽  
Anita Gross ◽  
Maurits Van Tulder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Short Term

Background. Back pain is a common problem and a major cause of disability and health care utilization.Purpose. To evaluate the efficacy, harms, and costs of the most common CAM treatments (acupuncture, massage, spinal manipulation, and mobilization) for neck/low-back pain.Data Sources. Records without language restriction from various databases up to February 2010.Data Extraction. The efficacy outcomes of interest were pain intensity and disability.Data Synthesis. Reports of 147 randomized trials and 5 nonrandomized studies were included. CAM treatments were more effective in reducing pain and disability compared to no treatment, physical therapy (exercise and/or electrotherapy) or usual care immediately or at short-term follow-up. Trials that applied sham-acupuncture tended towards statistically nonsignificant results. In several studies, acupuncture caused bleeding on the site of application, and manipulation and massage caused pain episodes of mild and transient nature.Conclusions. CAM treatments were significantly more efficacious than no treatment, placebo, physical therapy, or usual care in reducing pain immediately or at short-term after treatment. CAM therapies did not significantly reduce disability compared to sham. None of the CAM treatments was shown systematically as superior to one another. More efforts are needed to improve the conduct and reporting of studies of CAM treatments.

Critical analysis and unique management of Gridhrasi w.s.r. to Sciatica - A Case Report

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Rangarajan B. ◽  
Dr. Muralidhara .
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Total Population ◽  
The Body ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Lower Back

Gridhrasi (Sciatica) is a disorder in which low back pain is found, that spreads through the hip, to the back of the thigh and down the inside of the leg. Mechanical low back pain (LBP) remains the second most common symptom related reason for seeing a physician. 85% of total population will experience an episode of mechanical LBP at some point during their lifetime. Fortunately, the LBP resolves for the vast majority within 2-4 weeks. There are many causes for low back pain, however true sciatica is a symptom of inflammation or compression of the sciatica nerve. The sciatica nerve carries impulses between nerve roots in the lower back and the muscles and nerve of the buttocks, thighs and lower legs. Compression of a nerve root often occurs as a result of damage to one of the discs between the vertebrae. In some cases, sciatic pain radiate from other nerves in the body. This is called referred pain. Pain associated with sciatica often is severe, sharp and shooting. It may be accompanied by other symptom, such as numbness, tingling, weakness and sensitivity to touch. There is only conservative treatment giving short term relief in pain or surgical intervention with side effect. But these are not successful and therefore those who are suffering from this are always in search of result oriented remedy. Walking distance and SLR test were taken for assessment parameter, VAS score was adopted for pain. Before treatment patient was not able to walk even 4 to 5 steps due to severe pain, was brought on stretcher and his SLR was 30° of right side. After 22 days of treatment he was able to walk up to 500 meters without any difficulty, SLR was changed to 60° and patient had got 80 % relief in pain. This case report showed that Ayurvedic protocol is potent and safe in the treatment of Gridhrasi.

scholarly journals Intervertebral disc therapies for non-specific chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 1759720X2110280
Author(s):  
Camille Daste ◽  
Stéphanie Laclau ◽  
Margaux Boisson ◽  
François Segretin ◽  
Antoine Feydy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Chronic Low Back Pain ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Activity Limitations ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Short Term

Objectives: We aim to evaluate the benefits and harms of intervertebral disc therapies (IDTs) in people with non-specific chronic low back pain (NScLBP). Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials of IDTs versus placebo interventions, active comparators or usual care. EMBASE, MEDLINE, CENTRAL and CINHAL databases and conference abstracts were searched from inception to June 2020. Two independent investigators extracted data. The primary outcome was LBP intensity at short term (1 week–3 months), intermediate term (3–6 months) and long term (after 6 months). Results: Of 18 eligible trials (among 1396 citations), five assessed glucocorticoids (GCs) IDTs and were included in a quantitative synthesis; 13 assessed other products including etanercept ( n = 2), tocilizumab ( n = 1), methylene blue ( n = 2), ozone ( n = 2), chymopapaine ( n = 1), glycerol ( n = 1), stem cells ( n = 1), platelet-rich plasma ( n = 1) and recombinant human growth and differentiation factor-5 ( n = 2), and were included in a narrative synthesis. Standardized mean differences (95% CI) for GC IDTs for LBP intensity and activity limitations were −1.33 (−2.34; −0.32) and −0.76 (−1.85; 0.34) at short term, −2.22 (−5.34; 0.90) and −1.60 (−3.51; 0.32) at intermediate term and −1.11 (−2.91; 0.70) and −0.63 (−1.68; 0.42) at long term, respectively. Odds ratios (95% CI) for serious and minor adverse events with GC IDTs were 1.09 (0.25; 4.65) and 0.97 (0.49; 1.91). Conclusion: GC IDTs are associated with a reduction in LBP intensity at short term in people with NScLBP. Positive effects are not sustained. IDTs have no effect on activity limitations. Our conclusions are limited by high heterogeneity and a limited methodological quality across studies. Registration PROSPERO: CRD42019106336.

scholarly journals Ultrasound-guided caudal epidural steroid injection in chronic radicular low back pain: short-term electrophysiologic benefits

BJR|Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 20190006
Author(s):  
Maha Emad Ibrahim ◽  
Magdy Ahmed Awadalla ◽  
Aziza Sayed Omar ◽  
Mohammad al-Shatouri
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Ultrasound Guided ◽  
Analog Scale ◽  
Short Term ◽  
F Wave ◽  
Epidural Steroid ◽  
Caudal Epidural

Objective: To assess the short-term efficacy of ultrasound-guided caudal epidural steroid injections (ESIs) in improving pain, and nerve function as measured by electrophysiological testing in chronic radicular low back pain. Methods: Patients diagnosed with chronic radicular low back pain were randomized into one of two groups. The injection group (n = 20) underwent a single ultrasound-guided Caudal ESI of 1 ml of 40 mg ml−1 Triamcinolone Acetonide (Kenacort-A), with local anesthetic. The control group (n = 20) underwent a 12-session physiotherapy program. Both groups were evaluated before and 2 weeks after the intervention using visual analog scale for pain and electrophysiological testing comprising peroneal and tibial terminal motor latencies and F-response latencies and chronodispersion. Results: Both groups showed significant pain reduction on the visual analog scale after the intervention. The injection group showed a significant reduction in F wave chronodispersion post-treatment (<0.01). In the control group, there were no significant differences in F wave parameters pre- and post-treatment (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Caudal ESIs were shown to provide short-term improvement of nerve function as evident by improvement in the electrophysiological parameters sensitive to radiculopathy. It was found to be superior to standard physical therapy in this regard. Advances in knowledge: This work shows a novel electrophysiologic evidence of the short-term efficacy ultrasound-guided caudal ESI.

scholarly journals Acute and Short-Term Effects of Dry Needling in Patients with Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain and Hamstring Tightness: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Mahnaz Bazzaz-Yamchi ◽  
Soofia Naghdi ◽  
Amin Nakhostin-Ansari ◽  
Monavar Hadizadeh ◽  
Noureddin Nakhostin Ansari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Short Term Effects

Background. Chronic nonspecific low back pain (LBP) is one of the common health issues. Hamstring tightness contributes to the development of LBP. This study aimed to investigate the acute and short-term effects of deep dry needling (DN) in patients with chronic nonspecific LBP and hamstring muscle tightness. Methods. A single-group pretest-posttest clinical study design was followed. The outcome measures were the visual analog scale (VAS), passive knee extension (PKE) test, finger-floor distance (FFD) test, and functional rating index (FRI). Patients underwent one session of deep DN of three points on both hamstring muscles, each point for one minute. Patients were assessed before (T0), immediately after (T1), and one week after DN (T2). The FRI was assessed at T0 and T2. Results. Ten women with a mean age of 21.1 years (SD = 1.6) participated in the study. Significant large effect sizes in VAS pain reduction (d = 1.25) and PKE hamstring tightness were obtained (hamstring: right, d = 0.82; left, d = 0.88) at T2. Medium effect sizes were obtained for FFD (d = 0.45) and FRI (d = 0.72) at T2. Conclusion. A single session of deep DN improved pain and function and increased hamstring flexibility. This pilot study supports the use of DN in patients with LBP and hamstring tightness; however, future research with a rigorous study design of randomized controlled trial is required to confirm the findings. This trial is registered with IRCT20180511039612N1.

scholarly journals Effect of age on outcomes after allogeneic disc tissue supplementation in patients with chronic discogenic low back pain in the VAST trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey W Hunter ◽  
Richard Guyer ◽  
Mark Froimson ◽  
Michael J DePalma
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Functional Improvement ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Disc Tissue ◽  
Discogenic Low Back Pain ◽  
Post Hoc ◽  
Significant Functional Improvement

Aim: To explore the effects of viable allogeneic disc tissue supplementation in younger patients with discogenic chronic low back pain (CLBP). Patients & methods: VAST was a randomized placebo-controlled trial of disc allograft supplementation in 218 patients with discogenic CLBP. We conducted a post hoc analysis of change from baseline to 12 months in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analog scale for pain intensity scores stratified by patient age. Results: Patients aged <42 years receiving allograft experienced greater improvement in ODI (p = 0.042) and a higher ODI response rate (≥10-, ≥15- and ≥20-point reductions in ODI) than those receiving saline (p = 0.001, p = 0.002 and p = 0.021, respectively). Conclusion: Young patients with discogenic CLBP may have significant functional improvement following nonsurgical disc allograft supplementation.

scholarly journals Short-Term impacts of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in middle-aged university’s employees with non-specific low back pain: A pilot study

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nermeen Mohamed Abdelhalim ◽  
Ahmed Fathy Samhan ◽  
Walid Kamal Abdelbasset
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Field ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Pulsed Electromagnetic ◽  
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy

Objective: Non-specific low back pain (non-specific LBP) is common problem between office-work employees. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term impacts of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy in the treatment of non-specific LBP symptoms as pain, back mobility, LBP disabilities, and Health–Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). Methods: Forty-two University’s employees with non-specific LBP and aged from 35 to 55 years who participated in this study from January to June 2018 were divided into two groups: group A; received PEMF therapy and group B; received sham treatment. The outcome measures were; numerical rating scale, Modified Oswestry LBP Disability Score, Modified Schober test, and the Short Form-36 questionnaire. Evaluations were performed for both groups before and after finishing treatment. Results: All outcome measures were significantly improved statistically in the experimental group at the end of the intervention (p<0.05). On the other hand, there were non-significant differences in all outcome measures in the sham group (p>0.05). Conclusions: PEMT therapy may decrease pain, LBP disability, increase lumbar spine mobility, and improve HRQOL in middle-aged university’s employees with nonspecific LBP. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.4.49 How to cite this:Abdelhalim NM, Samhan AF, Abdelbasset WK. Short-Term impacts of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in middle-aged university’s employees with non-specific low back pain: A pilot study. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(4):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.4.49 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document