Microcurrent Point Stimulation Applied to Acupuncture Points for the Treatment of Non-Specific Lower Back Pain

Although acupuncture and microcurrent are widely used for chronic pain, there remains considerable controversy as to their therapeutic value. We aimed to determine in an observational study the effect size of DC Microcurrent Point Stimulation (MPS) applied to acupuncture points for 68 non-specific chronic back pain patients in a cohort analysis of treatment outcomes pre-post and follow-up MPS. A detailed comparative analysis of the effects of DC MPS on patient pain levels when applied to standardized acupuncture pain protocol was evaluated; this entailed a standard protocol baseline VAS (VAS) pain scale before and after post electro-therapy and after a two day follow-up. A total of 68 patients with non-specific lower back pain were recruited, all of whom received MPS in 1 session. Pain intensity was measured by visual analog scale at baseline, post and 48 hour follow-up. The VAS response of this patient sample with chronic pain following MPS applied to standard acupuncture pain protocol reflected a statistically significant reduction of 3.088 (95% CI (2.715, 3.462); P=0.001). This corresponds to a mean reduction of 62%; from 5.00 to 1.88, in pain levels post treatment when compared to initial pain levels. There was also further statistically significant reduction of 0.632 (33%) in follow-up pain scores, when compared to post pain levels [95% CI (0.295, 0.969); p=0.0001], for a total end pain relief of 75%. The positive results in this study could have significant and positive implications for patients afflicted with chronic back pain