Ear Acupuncture Reducing Pain and Improving Balance

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Chronic Low Back Pain
• Interventions: Other: Sham Ultrasound; Device: French ear acupuncture

• Registration Number: NCT01995279
• Lead Sponsor: Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul

Brief Summary

The aim of the present project is to examine the effects of single session of French ear acupuncture on pain sensation and on postural control in individuals with chronic low back pain.

We hypothesize that:

I) The application of French ear acupuncture at specific points to reduce low back pain would decrease pain intensity in patients with chronic low back pain.

II) The pain reduction would be greater for those individuals with low back pain who receive application of French ear acupuncture at specific points to reduce low back pain compared with patients who receive placebo treatment.

III) The application of French ear acupuncture at specific points to reduce back pain will have positive effect on the performance of the postural control system.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2013-11
• Study Start: 2013-11
• Study First Submitted: 2013-11-21
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-11-25
• Last Update Submitted: 2013-11-25
• Study First Posted: 2013-11-26
• Last Update Posted: 2013-11-26
• Primary Completion: 2014-03
• Study Completion: 2014-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 80

Inclusion Criteria

• Complaints of back pain lasting more than 12 weeks
• Pain referred larger than 4 according to the 11-points pain scale

Exclusion Criteria

• No other musculoskeletal injury,
• Individuals diagnosed with structural damage
• Individuals who performed a spine surgery
• Individuals who have sensory abnormalities or dizziness.
• Individuals may not be in physical therapy for reducing low back pain.
• Painkillers or anti-inflammatories use 24 hours before the experimental procedure.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Sham Ultrasound	Sham Ultrasound	Sham ultrasound will be applied at lumbar spine.
French ear acupuncture	French ear acupuncture	Application of single session of French ear acupuncture at specific points used to reduce low back pain.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
11-point Short Pain Scale (SPS-11)	20 minute	Treatment: single session of French ear acupuncture. Placebo: 20 minute application of sham ultrasound

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Center of pressure sway area	20 minute	Treatment: single session of French ear acupuncture. Placebo: 20 minute application of sham ultrasound

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Laboratório de Análise do Movimento, Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul; 🇧🇷 São Paulo, SP, Brazil