Author: Moura CC1, Chaves ECL2, Cardoso ACLR1, Nogueira DA3, Azevedo C1, Chianca TCM1
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Enfermagem, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
<sup>2</sup>Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Escola de Enfermagem, Alfenas, MG, Brasil.
<sup>3</sup>Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Alfenas, MG, Brasil.
Conference/Journal: Rev Esc Enferm USP.
Date published: 2019 Aug 19
Other:
Volume ID: 53 , Pages: e03461 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1590/S1980-220X2018021703461. [Article in English, Portuguese; Abstract available in Portuguese from the publisher] , Word Count: 175
OBJECTIVE: To investigate randomized clinical trials on the action of auricular acupuncture for chronic back pain in adults, and to identify the most commonly used outcomes for assessing this condition, the protocol used for applying the intervention, and the efficacy of the therapy on pain intensity.
METHOD: A systematic review and a metanalysis were carried out between June 2017 and May 2018, based on the PubMed, CINAHL, PEDro, Embase, Scopus, and the Virtual Health Library databases. Reference lists of systematic reviews were also explored.
RESULTS: 427 studies were located, 15 included in the qualitative analysis, and seven in the quantitative analysis. Auricular acupuncture led to positive results in 80% of the studies. The most commonly used outcomes were pain intensity and quality, medication consumption, physical disability, and quality of life. There is a lack of protocol standardization for auricular acupuncture for chronic back pain. The metanalysis results showed that auricular acupuncture was effective in reducing pain intensity scores (p=0.038).
CONCLUSION: Auricular acupuncture is a promising practice for the treatment of chronic back pain in adults.
PMID: 31433010 DOI: 10.1590/S1980-220X2018021703461