Effect of Warm Acupuncture Combined with Integrated Nursing Scheme on Pain and Self-Management Ability in Patients with Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the short- and medium-term effects of warm acupuncture combined with an integrated nursing program versus usual care on pain, disability, and self-management ability in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP).

Methods

This was a randomized controlled trial. Eighty-eight patients with CNLBP recruited between January 2022 and June 2024 were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 44) or a control group (n = 44). The experimental group received a 4-week intervention consisting of warm acupuncture (three sessions per week) plus a structured integrated nursing program (including health education, personalized exercise guidance, cognitive–behavioral strategies, and follow-up supervision). The control group received usual care and general health education over the same period. The primary outcome measures were the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain intensity and the self-management ability scale (SMS) score. The secondary outcomes included the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and the bodily pain (BP) and physical functioning (PF) subscales of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Assessments were conducted at baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1, week 4), and at a 12-week follow-up (T2, week 16).

Results

Ultimately, 83 patients completed the study (42 in the experimental group, 41 in the control group). Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups (P > 0.05). At T1 and T2, both groups showed significant improvements in VAS, SMS, and ODI scores compared to baseline (P < 0.01). Intergroup comparisons revealed that the improvements in VAS, SMS, and ODI scores were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group at both T1 and T2 (P < 0.01). The scores for the BP and PF subscales of the SF-36 also improved more significantly in the experimental group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The combination of warm acupuncture and an integrated nursing program effectively alleviates pain, reduces disability, and significantly enhances self-management ability in patients with CNLBP, with benefits sustained at the 3-month follow-up. This combined model offers a valuable clinical reference for the comprehensive management of CNLBP.

Keywords

chronic nonspecific low back pain warm acupuncture integrated nursing self-management randomized controlled trial

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