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Wang Y, Lu W, Wang Y, Chen W, Zhao H. Efficacy of different acupuncture-related therapies for tension-type headache: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1481715. [PMID: 39703352 PMCID: PMC11655348 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1481715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 11/21/2024] [Indexed: 12/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Tension-type headache (TTH) is among the most common primary headache disorders, characterized by recurrent episodes that are difficult to manage, thus posing a significant public health challenge. Acupuncture, a well-recognized non-pharmacological treatment, is frequently employed for pain management, including TTH. However, the variety of acupuncture techniques and inconsistent treatment outcomes underscore the need for a thorough evaluation. This study aims to update the current evidence on acupuncture and related therapies for TTH, evaluate the efficacy and safety of various acupuncture therapies, and identify the most effective therapeutic strategies, providing valuable guidance for clinical practice. Methods We systematically searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from four English databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) and four Chinese databases (Wanfang, VIP, CNKI, and SinoMed), including gray literature, up to April 19, 2024. The outcome measures included headache frequency, duration, pain intensity, and responder rate. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 17.0 to assess the relative effectiveness and safety of the different acupuncture therapies. This study was registered with the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42024537187). Results A total of 42 RCTs, encompassing 4,103 participants and 21 distinct treatment therapies, were included in the analysis. The network meta-analysis yielded the following findings: (1) regarding responder rate, several acupuncture or combined acupuncture and medication approaches, such as electro-acupuncture (EA) + cupping therapy (CT) [odds ratio (OR) = 28.66, 95% CI: 1.68 to 487.35], manual acupuncture (MA) + bloodletting therapy (BT) (OR = 6.07, 95% CI: 1.81 to 20.29), plum blossom needle tapping (PBNT) (OR = 3.76, 95% CI: 1.04 to 13.65), and scalp acupuncture (SPA) (OR = 3.65, 95% CI: 2.29 to 5.83), were significantly more effective than western medicine (WM) alone, with EA + CT (92.1%) being the most effective. (2) In terms of reducing headache frequency, EA (85.9%) was the most effective, followed by MA + PBNT (80.9%) and MA + WM (78.4%). Compared to WM, both MA + PBNT (SMD = -1.76, 95% CI: -3.31 to -0.22) and EA (SMD = -1.75, 95% CI: -3.30 to -0.20) significantly reduced headache frequency. (3) For shortening headache duration, EA (83.9%) emerged as the most effective treatment, followed by MA + WM (73.5%) and laser acupuncture (LA) (68.5%). (4) In terms of pain intensity reduction, the MA + WM combination (89.4%) was superior to other treatments, with SPA + WM (77.7%) being the next most effective. Compared to herbal medicine (HM), both MA + WM (SMD = -2.37, 95% CI: -4.20 to -0.55) and MA alone (SMD = -1.00, 95% CI: -1.75 to -0.24) significantly alleviated pain intensity. Conclusion This comprehensive analysis of 21 acupuncture and related therapies demonstrates that EA is the most effective in reducing headache frequency and shortening headache duration, while EA + CT and MA + WM are the optimal therapies for enhancing responder rate and reducing pain intensity, respectively. However, clinical decisions should be individualized based on the specific needs of each patient. Systematic review registration The study protocol was registered on the PROSPERO database under registration number CRD42024537187 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#recordDetails).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimeng Wang
- Department of Acupuncture, Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wang Lu
- Department of Acupuncture, Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongjun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Theory and Therapy of Muscles and Bones, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Emergency General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Haiyin Zhao
- Department of Acupuncture, Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Wei C, Chen J, Yang Q, Xu J, Li Q, Li F, Liu Y, Luo J. Effects of Manual Acupuncture Versus Sham Acupuncture in patients with Post-Stroke Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Neurol Ther 2024; 13:1717-1735. [PMID: 39453561 PMCID: PMC11541975 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-024-00672-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 10/07/2024] [Indexed: 10/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a prevalent psychiatric complication in stroke patients, severely reducing quality of life and delaying social recovery in stroke survivors. Clinical studies have shown that acupuncture can be used as an alternative approach for PSD. The aim of this study was to examine the safety, efficacy, and electroencephalogram (EEG) mechanism of acupuncture in treating PSD patients. METHODS From October 28, 2022 to May 16, 2023, this single-center, single-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. A total of 56 eligible subjects were assigned in a random manner, with an equal distribution between two groups: the manual acupuncture (MA) group and the sham acupuncture (SA) group. The primary outcome was the Hamilton Depression Scale-24 (HAMD-24); the secondary outcomes included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), the Barthel index, EEG power spectrum, and EEG imaginary coherent (iCOH). RESULTS Compared to the SA group, the MA group exhibited significant improvements in HAMD-24, NIHSS, PSIQ, and Barthel index at week 6. The total improvement rate was 85.71% in the MA group and 28.57% in the SA group. After 6 weeks of treatment, the alpha and beta bands power spectrum increased significantly, while the delta and theta bands power spectrum decreased significantly in the MA group compared to the SA group. The iCOH analysis showed that the MA group had significantly higher functional connectivity in the four bands than the SA group. CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture might be regarded as an adjunctive treatment for PSD patients with improvements in their neurological deficits, sleep quality, and depression. Meanwhile, the mechanism of acupuncture in treating PSD patients may be through decreasing the slow wave power spectrum and increasing the fast wave power spectrum, and enhancing brain functional connectivity. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200065112/2022-10-28).
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Affiliation(s)
- Conghui Wei
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Jinling Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Qu Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Jingjing Xu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Qingsong Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Fulin Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China.
| | - Jun Luo
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China.
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Pradhan SK, Todeschini G, Gantenbein AR, Wang X, Schürer Q, Lyu X, Chen B, Li Y, Furian M. Traditional Chinese Medicine and Headache Disorders-A Review of Categorization and Selected Therapeutic Approaches. Holist Nurs Pract 2024:00004650-990000000-00060. [PMID: 39499817 DOI: 10.1097/hnp.0000000000000700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2024]
Abstract
Headaches have emerged as a prevailing global health concern, impacting millions of individuals and posing challenges to public health care systems. With an escalating number of patients seeking complementary therapies to attain a more holistic approach for headaches, Traditional Chinese Medicine has gained significant popularity. It plays a pivotal role in advancing the safeguarding of health and the alleviation of prevalent, recurrent, and complex medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine covers a diverse array of therapeutic procedures for headaches, incorporating Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, and life cultivation. This narrative review delves into the fundamental principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and its categorization of headaches while exploring the potential selected applications of their treatment. Based on recent scientific findings and the ancient history of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the field of headaches, we conclude that selected Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies can be used as an alternative and complementary therapy against headaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saroj K Pradhan
- Author Affiliations: Research Department, Swiss University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Bad Zurzach, Switzerland (Drs Pradhan, Todeschini, Wang, Schürer, Lyu, and Ms Chen, and Drs Li and Furian); Research Department Rehaklinik, TCM Ming Dao Klink, ZURZACH Care, Bad Zurzach, Switzerland (Dr Pradhan and Li); Department of Geriatrics, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (Dr Todeschini); Neurology & Neurorehabilitation Department Rehaklinik, ZURZACH Care, Bad Zurzach, Switzerland (Dr Gantenbein); Institute of Basic Research In Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China (Dr Lyu); Wuxi Longsha Medical School Research Institute, Wuxi, China (Ms Chen); and Wuxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Wuxi, China (Ms Chen)
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Pei F, Hu WJ, Zhao YL. Efficacy of Jiao's scalp acupuncture in combination with Xiangshao granules on chronic tension-type headache with concomitant nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in climacteric women. Menopause 2023; 30:1132-1138. [PMID: 37788417 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0000000000002255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Jiao's scalp acupuncture in combination with Xiangshao granules on chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) with concomitant nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in climacteric women. METHODS In this study, we enrolled 150 climacteric women with CTTH and concomitant NAFLD. The participants were divided into three groups based on the random number table: medication group, acupuncture group, and acupuncture-medication group. Treatment continued for 2 months. The efficacy of CTTH was assessed based on the visual analog scale/score (VAS). The influence on NAFLD was assessed based on body mass index (BMI), controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), and the ratio of hepatic-splenic computed tomography (CT) value. The Participant Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score was compared among the three groups. RESULTS A total of 123 participants completed the trial, including 37 participants in the medication group, 41 participants in the acupuncture group, and 45 participants in the acupuncture-medication group. Results are summarized hereinafter. (1) The total clinical efficiency rates of the medication group, acupuncture group, and acupuncture-medication group were 89.19% (33 of 37), 90.24% (37 of 41), and 95.65% (44 of 46), respectively. (2) Except for the BMI of the medication group ( P = 0.063), a significant difference in VAS, BMI, CAP, the ratio of hepatic-splenic CT value, and PHQ-9 score was found in the three groups ( P < 0.01). (3) There was a significant difference in VAS, BMI, CAP, and PHQ-9 among the three groups ( P < 0.01), with those in the acupuncture-medication group being superior. No difference in the ratio of hepatic-splenic CT value was found ( P = 0.440). (4) The efficacy differed significantly among the three groups ( χ2 = 8.130, P = 0.017), and it was significantly superior in the acupuncture-medication group ( P = 0.008, P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS Jiao's scalp acupuncture, in combination with Xiangshao granules, was superior in treating CTTH in climacteric women compared with either acupuncture or medication. Jiao's scalp acupuncture, in combination with Xiangshao granules, was superior in subsiding the negative moods in participants with CTTH and concomitant NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Pei
- From the Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wei-Jia Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, Fifth Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yu-Liang Zhao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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Hu J, Wang X, Jia S, Kong L, Wang Y, Xin X, Hu Y, Chen X. Acupuncture and related therapies for tension-type headache: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1194441. [PMID: 37426434 PMCID: PMC10325685 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1194441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tension-type headache (TTH) is one of the most common primary headaches. Several studies have confirmed the efficacy of acupuncture therapies for TTH, but it is uncertain which treatment is most effective. Objective This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of different acupuncture therapies for TTH using Bayesian Network Meta-analysis to provide new ideas for treating TTH. Methods Nine databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about different acupuncture therapies for TTH up to December 1, 2022. The outcome indicators analyzed in our study were total effective rate, visual analog scale (VAS), headache frequency, and safety. Pairwise meta-analysis and risk of bias assessment were performed using Review Manager 5.4. Stata 15.0 generated a network evidence plot and detected publication bias. Finally, a Bayesian network meta-analysis of the data was used by RStudio. Results The screening process resulted in 30 RCTs that met the inclusion criteria, including 2,722 patients. Most studies failed to report details of trials and were therefore assessed as unclear risks. Two studies were considered high risk because they did not report on all pre-specified outcome indicators or had incomplete data on outcome indicators. The NMA results showed that for total effective rate, bloodletting therapy had the most considerable SUCRA value (0.93156136), for VAS, head acupuncture combined with Western medicine ranked first (SUCRA = 0.89523571), and acupuncture combined with herbal medicine was the most effective in improving headache frequency (p > 0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture can be used as one of the complementary or alternative therapies for TTH; bloodletting therapy better improves the overall symptoms of TTH, head acupuncture combined with Western medicine is more effective in reducing VAS scores, and acupuncture combined with herbal medicine seems to reduce headache frequency, but the difference is not statistically significant. Overall, acupuncture for TTH is effective with mild side effects, but future high-quality studies are still necessary. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, PROSPERO [CRD42022368749].
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglin Hu
- College of Acupuncture and Tuina, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xichen Wang
- School of Medical Information, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Siqi Jia
- College of Acupuncture and Tuina, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Lingzu Kong
- College of Acupuncture and Tuina, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yining Wang
- College of Acupuncture and Tuina, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaoqi Xin
- College of Acupuncture and Tuina, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yinghua Hu
- Teaching and Research Office of Acupuncture and Tuina, Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xinhua Chen
- The Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
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Yu Z, Wang RR, Wei W, Liu LY, Wen CB, Yu SG, Guo XL, Yang J. A coordinate-based meta-analysis of acupuncture for chronic pain: Evidence from fMRI studies. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1049887. [PMID: 36590302 PMCID: PMC9795831 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1049887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic pain (CP) patients tend to represent aberrant functional brain activity. Acupuncture is an effective clinical treatment for CP, and some fMRI studies were conducted to discover the alternation of brain regions after acupuncture therapy for CP. However, the heterogeneity of neuroimaging studies has prevented researchers from systematically generalizing the central mechanisms of acupuncture in the treatment of CP. Methods We searched bibliographic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science Core Collection, ScienceDirect, China Academic Journal Network Publishing Database, etc., and trials registration platforms (From inception to September 1st, 2022). Two independent researchers assessed the study's bias and quality. Furthermore, activation likelihood estimation (ALE) analysis was applied to explore aberrant brain functional activity and acupuncture's central mechanism for CP. Results Totally 14 studies with 524 CP patients were included in the study. ALE analysis showed that CP patients presented with decreased ALFF/ReHo in the precuneus, posterior cingulate cortex, right inferior parietal lobule, right superior temporal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, left medial frontal gyrus including medial prefrontal gurus, left middle frontal gyrus. Conclusion This ALE meta-analysis pointed out that acupuncture could modulate the default mode network, the frontoparietal network to treat CP. This provided a systematic summary of the neuroimage biomarker of acupuncture for the treatment of CP. Systematic review registration PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42021239633.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Yu
- School of Intelligent Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Rong-Rong Wang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, Chengdu Xinan Gynecological Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Li-Ying Liu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Chuan-Biao Wen
- School of Intelligent Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Shu-Guang Yu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao-Li Guo
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, Chengdu Xinan Gynecological Hospital, Chengdu, China,Xiao-Li Guo
| | - Jie Yang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Jie Yang
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Lu W, Li J, Tian Y, Lu X. Effect of ischemic compression on myofascial pain syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Chiropr Man Therap 2022; 30:34. [PMID: 36050701 PMCID: PMC9434898 DOI: 10.1186/s12998-022-00441-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a condition with local and referred pain characterized by trigger points (taut bands within the muscle). Ischemic compression is a noninvasive manual therapy technique that has been employed for the treatment of MPS in past decades. However, little attention has been devoted to this topic. Objectives The present review was designed to explore the efficacy of ischemic compression for myofascial pain syndrome by performing a descriptive systematic review and a meta-analysis to estimate the effect of ischemic compression on MPS. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis concerning randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with myofascial pain subjects who received ischemic compression versus placebo, sham, or usual interventions. Five databases (PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, Ovid) were searched from the earliest data available to 2022.1.2. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) were used for statistics. Version 2 of the Cochrane risk of tool 2 (RoB 2) was used to assess the quality of the included RCTs. Results Seventeen studies were included in the systematic review, and 15 studies were included in the meta-analysis. For the pressure pain threshold (PPT) index, 11 studies and 427 subjects demonstrated statistically significant differences compared with the control at posttreatment (SMD = 0.67, 95% CI [0.35, 0.98], P < 0.0001, I2 = 59%). For visual analog scale (VAS) or numeric rating scale (NRS) indices, 7 studies and 251 subjects demonstrated that there was no significant difference between ischemic compression and controls posttreatment (SMD = − 0.22, 95% CI [− 0.53, 0.09], P = 0.16, I2 = 33%). Conclusion Ischemic compression, as a conservative and noninvasive therapy, only enhanced tolerance to pain in MPS subjects compared with inactive control. Furthermore, there was no evidence of benefit for self-reported pain. The number of currently included subjects was relatively small, so the conclusion may be changed by future studies. Big scale RCTs with more subjects will be critical in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lu
- Department of Nursing, Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiong Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Tian
- Department of Rehabilitation, Baoshan Branch, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200436, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingang Lu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China.
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Chang WC, Livneh H, Yen CT, Hsieh MC, Lu MC, Chen WJ, Tsai TY. Decreased Risk of Low Back Pain During Pregnancy Associated With the Use of Orthopedic Manual Therapy: A Nested Case-Control Study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:887877. [PMID: 35814758 PMCID: PMC9260507 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.887877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent evidence suggests that the use of orthopedic manual therapy (OMT) may lessen the subsequent risk of low back pain (LBP), but this association has not been examined among pregnant women who are at higher risk of LBP. This study aims to determine whether the addition of OMT to conventional LBP treatment before pregnancy could decrease the subsequent risk of LBP during pregnancy. Methods From Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified 68,960 women, 20–55 years of age, with first pregnancy between 2001 and 2012. We then performed a nested case-control study in which 3,846 women with newly diagnosed LBP were matched to 3,846 controls according to age and cohort entry year. Multivariate conditional logistic regression was employed to estimate the association between OMT use before pregnancy and LBP during pregnancy. Results OMT users had a lower risk of LBP than did non-users, with an adjusted OR of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.78–0.93). Subgroup analysis showed that women with high intensity use of OMT treatment prior to pregnancy reported the lowest level of LBP during pregnancy by nearly 30%. Conclusion The pre-pregnancy use of OMT treatment significantly decreased LBP risk during pregnancy, especially with high-intensity use. Thus, clinicians may consider recommending OMT for pregnant women to avoid possible obstetric complications during the pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chiao Chang
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Dalin Tzuchi Hospital, The Buddhist Tzuchi Medical Foundation, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Hanoch Livneh
- Rehabilitation Counseling Program, Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Chieh-Tsung Yen
- Department of Neurology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi, Taiwan
- Center of Sports Medicine, Dalin Tzuchi Hospital, The Buddhist Tzuchi Medical Foundation, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Min-Chih Hsieh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chi Lu
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Dalin Tzuchi Hospital, The Buddhist Tzuchi Medical Foundation, Chiayi, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Jen Chen
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Dalin Tzuchi Hospital, The Buddhist Tzuchi Medical Foundation, Chiayi, Taiwan
- Center of Sports Medicine, Dalin Tzuchi Hospital, The Buddhist Tzuchi Medical Foundation, Chiayi, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Sports Science, National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Wei-Jen Chen
| | - Tzung-Yi Tsai
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Dalin Tzuchi Hospital, The Buddhist Tzuchi Medical Foundation, Chiayi, Taiwan
- Tzung-Yi Tsai
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