A comparison between pulsed radiofrequency and electro-acupuncture for relieving pain in patients with chronic low back pain
Journal
Acupuncture and Electro-Therapeutics Research
Journal Volume
35
Journal Issue
3-4
Pages
133-146
Date Issued
2010
Author(s)
Abstract
Many treatment options for chronic low back pain are available, including varied forms of electric stimulation. But little is known about the electricity effect between electro-acupuncture and pulsed radiofrequency. The objective of this study is to assess the difference in effectiveness of pain relief between pulsed radiofrequency and electro-acupuncture. Visual analog score (vas) pain score, the oswestry disability index (odi) to measure a patient's permanent functional disability, and short form 36 (sf-36) which is a survey used in health assessment to determine the cost-effectiveness of a health treatment, were used as rating systems to measure the pain relief and functional improvement effect of pulsed radiofrequency and electro-acupuncture, based on the methodological quality of the randomized controlled trials, the relevance between the study groups, and the consistency of the outcome evaluation. First, the baseline status before therapy shows no age and gender influence in the sf-36 and vas score but it is significant in the odi questionnaire. From anova analyses, it is apparent that radiofrequency therapy is a significant improvement over electro-acupuncture therapy after one month. But electro-acupuncture also showed functional improvement in the lumbar spine from the odi. This study provides sufficient evidence of the superiority of pulsed radiofrequency (prf) therapy for low back pain relief compared with both electro-acupuncture (ea) therapy and the control group. But the functional improvement of the lumbar spine was proved under ea therapy only. Both therapies are related to electricity effects. Copyright ? 2010 cognizant communication corp.
Subjects
Chronic low back pain; Electro-acupuncture; Pulsed radiofrequency
SDGs
Other Subjects
article; chronic disease; clinical trial; comparative study; controlled clinical trial; controlled study; electroacupuncture; electrostimulation therapy; female; human; low back pain; male; pain assessment; radiofrequency radiation; randomized controlled trial; treatment outcome; Chronic Disease; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Electroacupuncture; Female; Humans; Low Back Pain; Male; Pain Measurement; Radio Waves; Treatment Outcome
Publisher
Cognizant Communication Corporation
Type
journal article