Effects of auricular acupuncture on chronic pain in people with back musculoskeletal disorders: a randomized clinical trial

• Published in: Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S P Vol. 53; p. e03418
• Main Authors: Moura, Caroline de Castro, Chaves, Erika de Cássia Lopes, Chianca, Tânia Couto Machado, Ruginsk, Silvia Graciela, Nogueira, Denismar Alves, Iunes, Denise Hollanda
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem 01-01-2019; SciELO
• Subjects: Acupuntura Auricular; Dor Crônica; Dor Musculoesquelética; Enfermagem Holística; NURSING; Reabilitação; Terapias Complementares; Acupuntura Auricular; Terapias Complementarias; Dor Crônica; Musculoskeletal Pain; Dolor Crónico; Holistic Nursing; Complementary Therapies; Enfermagem Holística; Acupuncture, Ear; Reabilitação; Terapias Complementares; Enfermería Holística; Dor Musculoesquelética; Rehabilitation; Dolor Musculoesquelético; Rehabilitación; Chronic Pain
• ISSN: 0080-6234; 1980-220X; 1980-220X
• DOI: 10.1590/S1980-220X2018009003418

To evaluate the effects of auricular acupuncture on pain intensity, its impact on daily activities, the relief provided by the intervention, and the pain threshold in people with back musculoskeletal disorders.
Randomized clinical trial carried out with people randomly allocated into three groups: treatment, placebo, and control. Evaluations were performed using the Brief Pain Inventory and a digital algometer before (initial) and after (final) the treatment and after a 15-day follow-up period.
The sample was 110 people. There was a decrease in pain intensity in the treatment and placebo groups as revealed by the comparison between the initial and final evaluations (p<0.05), and in the treatment group in the comparison between the initial and follow-up evaluations (p<0.05). A decreased impact of pain on daily activities in the treatment and placebo groups over time was found (p<0.05). At the final evaluation, the impact of pain was lower in the treatment group (p<0.05). Auricular acupuncture did not increase the pain threshold.
Auricular acupuncture presented positive effects by reducing the chronic pain intensity and its impact on daily activities in people with back musculoskeletal disorders. Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry: RBR-5X69X2.