Effect of Pain Relief on Gait Characteristics of Patients with Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective:To observe the effects of pain relief after acupuncture on walking speed, step length and ground reaction force (GRF) of patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP) during walking. Methods:From May to December, 2019, 28 CNLBP patients were randomly divided into waiting list group (n = 14) and acupuncture group (n = 14). The acupuncture group received acupuncture, 30 minutes a time, three times a week, for four weeks. The waiting list group only received health education after enrollment until four weeks later. Gait analysis was performed with three-dimensional motion system for both groups after enrollment and one month later. The walking speed, step length and GRF characteristic values were recorded and compared, as well as Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for pain. Results:After intervention, The VAS decreased in both groups (t > 2.956, P < 0.05), and was lower in the acupuncture group than in the waiting list group (t = -2.844, P = 0.004). No significant difference in walking speed, step length and GRF characteristic values was found after intervention in both groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion:One month-acupuncture could relief the pain of CNLBP patients, however, it could not improve the performance during walking.