Effectiveness and safety of motion style acupuncture treatment of the pelvic joint for herniated lumbar disc with radiating pain: A prospective, observational pilot study

Abstract

Context: Conservative treatment is effective for treating and managing herniated lumbar disc with radiating leg pain.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of motion style acupuncture treatment (MSAT) on the pelvic joint for this condition.

Design: This prospective observational study was a pilot study for a future randomized, controlled trial (RCT).

Setting: [masked for review].

Patients/interventions: We enroled 40 patients and allocated them to two groups (both n = 20). Groups 1 and 2 received integrative Korean medicine treatment (KMT) and integrative KMT with MSAT for pelvic joint, respectively. Primary outcome was the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score for low back pain. Secondary outcomes were the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual analogue Scale (VAS), and EuroQol 5-Dimension-5-level (EQ-5D-5 L) scores. Efficacy was assessed by comparing the baseline and Day 4 results. Safety was assessed based on the frequency and severity of all adverse events.

Results: On Day 14, except for ODI in Group 1, the NRS, VAS, and EQ-5D-5 L scores showed significant improvements in both groups. On Day 90, both groups showed significant improvements in the NRS, ODI, and EQ-5D-5 L scores. There was a significant between-group difference in the NRS score on Day 7. On Day 14, Group 2 had a significantly lower VAS score for radiating leg pain than Group 1. Twelve patients reported adverse events associated with integrative KMT; however, there was no association with pelvic joint MSAT.

Conclusion: Adding MSAT for pelvic joint to conventional integrative KMT may ameliorate radiating leg pain and improve the quality of life.

Keywords: Doin (daoyin); Integrative medicine; Intervertebral disc displacement; Korean medicine; Motion style acupuncture treatment; Prospective studies; Radiculopathy; Sciatica.