Comparison of Swiss Versus Standard Low Back Acupuncture in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Summary

Low back pain (LBP) is very common, widespread, and represents a multidimensional syndrome. It affects physical activity and function, health-related quality of life, and employment status. The lifetime prevalence of acute low back pain is approximately 80%. The prevalence of chronic low back pain (CLBP) in the general population is reported to be 8% to 21%. Several clinical trials have provided evidence to support the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of LBP, however, the optimal acupuncture treatment for CLBP has not been extensively studied.

Conditions

• Chronic Low-back Pain

Interventions

OTHER

Swiss low back acupuncture (SLBA)

Participants are placed in the prone position (if required with a pillow under the abdomen). Then acupuncture is applied to the back of the body. The treatment takes place for the duration of 9 weeks (2x per week from week 1 to 6 and 1x a week from week 7 to 9). One treatment session lasts about 50-60 minutes. Swiss low back pain acupuncture The SLBA method is a further developed method from the Jiu Gong acupuncture technique, also known as the Nine Palace-Points on the spine. The following acupuncture points will be used: LV3/ LV5, Tai Xi (Kl 3), Fe Yang (BL 58), Tai Chong (LR 3), Guang Ming (GB 37), Tai Xi (Kl 3) and Fe Yang (BL 58).

OTHER

Standard acupuncture (SA)

Participants are placed in the prone position (if required with a pillow under the abdomen). Then acupuncture is applied to the back of the body. The treatment takes place for the duration of 9 weeks (2x per week from week 1 to 6 and 1x a week from week 7 to 9). One treatment session lasts about 50-60 minutes. The SA method is described in the acupuncture textbook for TCM in China and all acupuncture points are selected based on TCM principles, international literature, and the opinion of national and international TCM experts. The following points have been selected: Ming Men (GV 4), Zhi Shi (BL 52), Tai Xi (KI 3) Yao Guan (GV 3), Guan Yuan Shu (BL 26), Ge Shu (BL 17), Ci Liao (BL 32), Wei Zhong (BL 40), Ji Zhong (GV 6), Yao Yang Guan (GV 3), Shen Shu (BL 23), Da Chang Shu (BL 25) and A-Shi points.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Swiss University for Traditional Chinese Medicine

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Li Yiming

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Michael Furain, PhD · Swiss University for Traditional Chinese Medicine

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-01-31

Primary Completion

2025-06-30

Completion

2025-07-31

Countries

• Switzerland

Study Locations