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Chinese Tuina Therapy for Treatment of Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Not Applicable
Conditions
Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain
Interventions
Behavioral: Chinese Tuina therapy
Registration Number
NCT04976790
Lead Sponsor
Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
Brief Summary

Chronic Nonspecific Low back Pain (NLBP) is a common symptom in today's society. It causes serious health and economic burdens. Low back pain can be attributed to excessive physical exertion or trauma, resulting in damage or degradation of the vertebrae, intervertebral discs, or spinal muscles and nonspecific low back pain typically can account for 90% of the patients with 35 to 55 years old. Some guidelines endorse the cautious use of medication and surgery and take nonpharmacological and noninvasive treatments as a first-line treatment, including routine health education, exercise, psychotherapy, and physical therapies, owing to the risk of trauma and the cost. With a long history, Tuina is a one of the common nonsurgical methods to treat LBP in China.. The effect of Tuina is attributed to relaxing muscles and tendons, improving circulation, regulating spinal balance, decreasing edema and aseptic inflammation. Many clinical reports have confirmed its effectiveness, but more clinical trials are required to provide evidence of Tuina for low back pain. Therefore, this study was designed to compare the effectiveness of Tuina with Flurbiprofen Cataplasms for patients with low back pain on the basis treatment of health education and self-management exercise at home.

Detailed Description

This study is a single-center, assessor- and analyst-blinded randomized controlled trial conducted in Beijing, China, at Dongzhimen hospital affiliated to Beijing university of Chinese medicine. In total, 90 patients will be recruited and randomly assigned to a Tuina group and a Flurbiprofen Cataplasms group in a 1:1 ratio. The Chinese Tuina group will be given twice per week for 14 days, and medicine group will be given Flurbiprofen Cataplasms twice daily for 14 days. We will ask some researchers who are blinded to assignment to accomplish the outcome assignment and statistical analyses independently. The outcome will be measured by three self-report questionnaires, which can reflect the lumbar dysfunction, pain, quality of life, and adverse events. Four time points will be used to assess outcomes, including baseline, 7 days, 14 days and 28 days after randomization.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
90
Inclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosis of non-specific low back pain;
  • Aged between 18 and 65,male and female;
  • Duration of low back pain as the main symptom for at least 12 weeks;
  • pain intensity with NRS score equals or more than 4;
  • X-ray or CT on low back helped to confirm no lumbar diseases;
  • Ability to understand and complete the questionnaires;
  • Any treatments aiming to CNLBP need more than 1 month washout period;
  • Volunteer to participate in the study and informed consent form.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Sciatica, myelopathy, displacement, or radiculopathy due to lumbar intervertebral disc disorders or Spondylolisthesis;
  • Chronic low back pain caused by local disease (e.g., lumbar fracture, lumbar tumor, lumbar tuberculosis, lumbar spine surgery or trauma);
  • Immune diseases such as rheumatoid joints and ankylosing spondylitis;
  • Severe primary disease such as cardiovascular, lung, kidney, and hematopoietic disease;
  • Pregnant or lactating women;
  • patients with skin injury;
  • Allergy or intolerance to Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (e.g., asthma, gastrointestinal ulcers, and bleeding);
  • Mental illness;
  • Poor compliance of examination and treatment.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Chinese Tuina group (CTG)Chinese Tuina therapyThe participants in Chinese Tuina group will receive the traditional Chinese Tuina therapy on the basis of health education and home-exercise. All the treatment will cost 20-25 minutes. Patients in this group received 4 treatments over 14 days.
Flurbiprofen Cataplasms group (FCG)Flurbiprofen Cataplasms group (FCG).The FCG group received flurbiprofen gel on the basis of the health education and home-exercise, twice daily, for 14 days.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in NRS scores for pain intensityChange from baseline at 14 days

The changes in NRS scores at 14 days after randomization.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in 7-level Likert Scale for patient assessment global improvementChange from baseline at 7 days,14 days and 28 days after randomization

The PAG with 7-level Likert Scale is measured at baseline, 7 days, 14 days and 28 days after randomization

Changes in PROMIS® Item Bank v2.0-Physical Function scores for Physical FunctionChange from baseline at 14 days after randomization

The PROMIS® Item Bank v2.0-Physical Function-Short Form 8c 7-Day Scale scores are measured at baseline and 14 days after randomization

Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio and Incremental cost-utility ratioChange from baseline at 7 days,14 days and 28 days after randomization

Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio and Incremental cost-utility ratio are measured at baseline,7days,14 days and 28 days after randomization.

Changes in the ODI scores for lumbar functionChange from baseline at 7 days,14 days and 28 days after randomization

The ODI (Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index) scores are measured at baseline, 7 days, 14 days and 28 days after randomization

Clinical effective rateChange from baseline at 7days,14days and 28 days after randomization

The clinical response rate is measured at baseline, 7 days, 14 days and 28 days after randomization

Changes in the Quebec Low Back Pain Disability Scale scores for lumbar functionChange from baseline at 14 days after randomization

The Quebec Low Back Pain Disability Scale scores are measured at baseline and 14 days after randomization

Incidence of adverse eventsChange from baseline at 7 days,14 days and 28 days after randomization

The incidence of adverse events during treatment will be calculated

Cost-utility analysis (CUA) ratioChange from baseline at 7 days,14 days and 28 days after randomization

The cost-utility ratio (C/U) is measured at baseline,7days,14 days and 28 days after randomization

Changes in Quality adjusted life years (QALY)Change from baseline at 7 days,14 days and 28 days after randomization

The quality adjusted life years (QALY) of the subjects were measured by TCM health-related life quality scale (CM-QOL), five-dimensional health scale (EQ-5D) and SF-6D at baseline, 7 days, 14 days and 28 days after randomization

Changes in NRS scores for pain intensityChange from baseline at 7 days and 28 days after randomization

The NRS scores are measured at baseline, 7 days and 28days after randomization

Changes in PROMIS® Scale v1.2 Scale for patient assessment global improvementChange from baseline at 14 days after randomization

The PAG with PROMIS® Scale v1.2 Scale is measured at baseline, 14 days after randomization

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) ratioChange from baseline at 7 days,14 days and 28 days after randomization

The cost-effectiveness ratio (C/E) is measured at baseline,7days,14 days and 28 days after randomization

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Beiing university of Chinese medicine Dongzhimen Hospital

🇨🇳

Beijing, Beijing, China

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