Electropuncture in Chronic Low Back Pain
Keywords:
electropuncture, low back pain, interventional proceduresAbstract
Low back pain, a major cause of disability, has significant physical, psychological, and socioeconomic implications. This research focused on the systematic assessment and recording of the short- and medium-term therapeutic response to a moderately complex interventional rehabilitation procedure.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of electropuncture in reducing pain and functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain during 2024.
Methods: A pre-experimental, prospective, and longitudinal study was conducted in patients with chronic low back pain, aged 18-60 years, treated at the Fructuoso Rodríguez Orthopedic Teaching Hospital during 2024. These patients received electropuncture treatment at myofascial trigger points. Pain intensity was assessed before and after treatment using the visual analog scale; and functional disability was assessed using a modified Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis summarized participant characteristics, and the Student's t-test was used to confirm the normality of the sample and compare the means of pain and functional capacity. A statistical significance level of p < 0.05 was considered.
Results: Chronic low back pain predominated in women (51.9%) aged 45-59 years (44.0%), with an average age of 46.11 (± 11.70) years. It was also more prevalent among self-employed individuals and healthcare personnel (20.0% each), and in those with a duration of symptoms of 9-12 months (44.0%). At the end of treatment, there was a significant reduction in pain and lumbar disability (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Electropuncture significantly reduces pain intensity and lumbar disability and proves to be an effective treatment for chronic low back pain.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Montserrat Flores Loyola, Yibsy Saddys López Álvarez , Víctor Miguel Viltres Martínez , Yaima Almanza Diaz, Jorge Luis González Roig , Marlene Villanueva Moreno
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