Efficacy Study of Acupuncture to Treat Spinal Pain

Pilot Study of Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture on Patient With Spinal Pain Due to Spondylolithesis

This study is being conducted to investigate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for alleviating pain of spondylosis.

This study is being conducted at the Daegu Catholic University Medical Center. Enrolled participants will be randomized into two groups : acupuncture treatment plus epidural block and epidural block alone.

This trial will include treatments during 3 weeks, and then follow up after 2 weeks. Participants will have acupuncture treatments of three times per week and epidural block of once per week. All examinations and treatments will be provided free of charge. Compared with epidural block group, acupuncture plus epidural block group will give more effectiveness for alleviate pain caused by lumbar spondylosis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 to 65 years
• Meyerding Grade I-II spondylolisthesis
• Low back pain of at least 1-year duration
• Follow-up possible during the clinical trial
• Written informed consent voluntarily

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cauda equina syndrome, persistently exacerbated symptoms, progressive neurologic signs (sensory or motor changes)
• Previous spine surgery
• Senile dementia, impaired cognitive function or other cerebral disease, severe psychiatric or psychological disorders
• Severe, concomitant disease (neuromuscular scoliosis, neurodegenerative disease)
• All contraindications to corticosteroid injection (e.g., insulin-dependent diabetes)
• Alcohol/drug abuse
• Significant renal or hepatic disease
• Pregnant, lactating or planning a pregnancy
• Hypersensitive reaction to acupuncture treatment
• Inability to comprehend or express oneself in the Korean language
• An individual deemed to be ineligible by a physician
• Refusal to participate in the trial or to provide informed consent