Traditional Acupuncture and Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling and Acupressure for Chronic Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain Clinical Trial

Official title:

Randomised Comparative Pragmatic Clinical Trial of Traditional Acupuncture and Superficial Dry Needling and Acupressure of Myofascial Trigger Points for the Treatment of Patients With Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00804089
• Other study ID #: AR1-001-2008
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• First received: December 5, 2008
• Last updated: December 5, 2008
• Start date: December 2008

Study information

• Verified date: December 2008
• Source: Hermano Miguel Foundation
• Contact: Sergiy Voznesenskyy, Ph.D. B.P.T.
• Phone: (+593 2) 237 8374
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Ecuador: Public Health Ministry
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the therapeutic effects of acupuncture using traditional acupoints and Ashi points with myofascial trigger points superficial dry needling and acupressure, followed by postisometric stretching of the appropriate muscles, in the treatment of patients with chronic mechanical low back pain.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Recruiting
• Enrollment: 90
• Est. primary completion date: March 2009
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 18 Years to 65 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of mechanical lower back pain for at least three months.

• The chronic mechanical lower back pain is the chief complaint, with or without leg pain.

• The lower back pain is disabling to the degree that affects the patient's routine job and/or his or her lifestyle.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with tumor, infection, major trauma to the spine causing fracture or disruption of the major ligaments, or cauda equina syndrome.

• Patients with neurological signs of spinal nerve compression.

• Patients having undergone spinal surgery, facet joint block and/or corticoid injection.

• Patients with general contraindications for acupuncture or acupressure treatment.

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Back Pain
• Low Back Pain

Intervention

Procedure:
• Traditional needle acupuncture
Traditional needle acupuncture using traditional meridian acupoints and Ashi (tender) points
• Myofascial trigger point dry needling
Superficial dry needling of myofascial trigger points found in the muscles related to low back pain, followed by their postisometric stretching
• Myofascial trigger point acupressure
Blunt needle acupressure of myofascial trigger points found in the muscles related to low back pain, followed by their postisometric stretching

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Ecuador	Social Security Hospital	Ambato	Tungurahua
Ecuador	Social Security Hospital	Ibarra	Imbabura

Sponsors (3)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Hermano Miguel Foundation	Ecuadorian Federation of Physiotherapy, Tungurahua Branch, Technical University of Ambato

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Ecuador,