Study Summary

One hundred and eight patients with non-acute low back pain after back surgery were randomized to receive 4 weeks of physical therapy and education with electroacupuncture treatment (n=54) or without acupuncture treatment (n=54). The primary outcome of interest was pain scores on a 100 point Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes of interest included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Euro Quality of Life 5 Dimension (EQ-5D) quality of life questionnaire, and the incidence of adverse events. Outcomes were assessed at 3, 5, 8 and 12 weeks follow-up for VAS pain scores and ODI scores, as well as 5, 8 and 12 weeks for EQ-5D scores. Adverse events were assessed at each follow-up time-point. Results revealed statistically significantly lower VAS pain scores in the electroacupuncture group compared to the control group at 3 weeks (p=0.0063) and 5 weeks (p=0.0311) follow-up. Additionally, ODI scores were statistically significantly in favour of the electroacupuncture group at 3, 5 and 8 weeks follow-up (p<0.05 for all). No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in EQ-5D scores at all timepoints (p>0.05 for all). Moreover, 1 patient in the electroacupuncture group and 3 patients in the control group required additional treatment (p=0.6179). In the electroacupuncture group, 29 adverse events were reported, as well as 2 cases of hospitalization for traffic accidents. In the control group, 24 adverse events were reported, as well as 1 cases of hospitalization for appendicitis, 1 case of cystitis, and 3 cases of pain aggravation.