Laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure improves low-back pain and quality of life in nurses: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Low-back pain (LBP) in nurses is a major health concern that affects their quality of life and ability to work, with consequences for their economic status.

OBJECTIVE:

This study evaluates the effect of low-level laser acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure (LAA) on pain intensity, pain interference and quality of life in nurses with LBP.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS:

This randomized controlled trial recruited a convenience sample of hospital-based nurses from one teaching hospital in Taiwan, China. Participants were randomly assigned to the LAA group (n = 38) receiving low-level laser acupuncture and auricular acupressure for 4 weeks, and the control group (n = 38) receiving only sham laser acupuncture treatment without laser energy output.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Data were collected for the primary pain outcome using the Short Form of the Brief Pain Inventory, while the secondary outcome, quality of life, was evaluated using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. Both primary and secondary outcomes were scored before the intervention, and after 2-week and 4-week intervention. The rate of LBP recurrence was evaluated at the 4th week and 8th week after the end of intervention.

RESULTS:

After controlling for prior pain, the result of linear mixed model analysis showed trends in significant between-group differences in the level of current pain occurring in week 4 (P < 0.001), worst pain in week 2 (P < 0.001) and week 4 (P < 0.001), least pain in week 2 (P = 0.032) and week 4 (P < 0.001), pain interference in week 2 (P = 0.009) and week 4 (P < 0.001), and in the life dysfunction in week 2 (P < 0.001) and week 4 (P < 0.001). Recurrence rates of LBP at the 4th and 8th weeks after the end of intervention were 0% and 36.89% in the LAA group, and 69.44% and 36.11% in the control group.

CONCLUSION:

This study shows that 4-week LAA intervention reduced pain intensity and pain interference, and improved quality of life for hospital-based nurses with LBP. These effects were maintained continuously for at least 4 weeks after the intervention. The nonpharmacological intervention, LAA, may be another efficacious, feasible, noninvasive, analgesic intervention for LBP.

TRIAL REGISTRATION:

This study is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (registration number NCT04423445).

• Authors: Hsueh-Hua Yang, Yu-Chu Chung, Pai-Pei Szeto, Mei-Ling Yeh, Jaung-Geng Lin
• Journal: Journal of integrative medicine (J Integr Med) Vol. 21 Issue 1 Pg. 26-33 (01 2023) ISSN: 2095-4964 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 36402666 (Publication Type: Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Topics

• Humans
• Acupressure
• Quality of Life
• Treatment Outcome
• Low Back Pain (therapy)
• Acupuncture Therapy
• Nurses