Efficacy of Acupuncture on the Quality of Life of Patients with Low Back Pain

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment on the quality of life and long-term pain relief in patients with low back pain. Methods: This single-center study was carried out by 1 acupuncturist. A total of 136 patients aged 20–93 years received acupuncture treatment 1–2 times per week for a course of 5 or 10 sessions. Primary outcome measures were the severity and impact of pain on the patients' daily functions, measured by using the Brief Pain Inventory short form. It was completed on the first visit at baseline and after the 5th and 10th sessions of acupuncture treatment. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed only on patients who had completed a total of 10 acupuncture treatment sessions and had complete data for all acupuncture visits and telephone follow-up survey. Results: The study did not restrict the use of other treatment modalities. About 96% of patients were receiving other treatment at baseline, but this percentage dropped significantly to 7.4% aft...