Comparative efficacy of acupuncture, venesection, and physical therapy on chronic low back pain outcomes, a randomized clinical trial
Moein Jamali Dastjerdi, Mohaddeseh Azadvari, Gholamreza Kordafshari, Bai-Xiao Zhao, Mohammad Sadegh Adel Mehraban, Reihane Alipour, Mehrdad Karimi, Amir Hooman Kazemi, Arman Sourani, Ali Vafaie Sefti- General Medicine
- Surgery
Objective:
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) imposes considerable financial and social burden with poor response to medical and surgical treatments. Alternatively acupuncture and venesection(Fasd), are traditionally being used to alleviate nociceptive and musculoskeletal pains. This study aimed to evaluate effectiveness and the safety of acupuncture and venesection on CLBP and patient’s functionality.
Methods:
The current study was a single-blinded, randomized clinical trial with balanced allocation ,conducted in the department of physical medicine & rehabilitation medicine, in 2022. One hundred and five CLBP patients who had no back pain-attributable structural or major diseases ,were randomly allocated into 3 parallel arms, and received either physical therapy (PTG), acupuncture (APG), or venesection (VSG). Pain severity and functional aspects were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) and oswestry disability index(ODI) during the study. VAS and ODI scores were defined as the primary outcomes.
Results:
Ninety-five patients were reviewed in the final analysis(PTG=33, APG=30, VSG=31). Demographic data showed equal group distribution. Statistical analysis showed all procedures had reduced VAS score immediately after first session, after last session, and after follow-up , however APG and VSG values were significantly lower(
Conclusion:
Considering the pain and functional scores, both acupuncture and venesection can reproduce reliable results . Acupuncture and venesection both have sustained effects on pain and daily function of the patients even after treatment termination, while physical therapy had more relapse in pain and functional limitations.