Precision targeting in acupuncture: a pilot and feasibility study protocol of ultrasound-guided approach for non-specific low back pain
Abstract Introduction Non-specific low back pain (NLBP) is increasingly prevalent in the world due to changes in lifestyle and work habits. It is found that the symptom is usually associated with damage in the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) and its surrounding muscles. This paper introduces a pioneering...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Pilot and Feasibility Studies |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-025-01673-x |
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| author | Zihan Liu Tianying Chang Jili Fu Hui Chi Xiaodan Wang Lisha Wang Wenqi Cui Yingzi Cui Zhibin Cong |
| author_facet | Zihan Liu Tianying Chang Jili Fu Hui Chi Xiaodan Wang Lisha Wang Wenqi Cui Yingzi Cui Zhibin Cong |
| author_sort | Zihan Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Non-specific low back pain (NLBP) is increasingly prevalent in the world due to changes in lifestyle and work habits. It is found that the symptom is usually associated with damage in the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) and its surrounding muscles. This paper introduces a pioneering approach for treating NLBP, using the heterogeneous echo zones on ultrasound images as needling targets, presenting a novel treatment protocol. Methods An open randomized controlled trial is designed and conducted, in which 48 patients with NLBP will be randomly allocated at a ratio of one to one to an ultrasound-guided acupuncture (UGA) group and a regular acupuncture treatment (RA) group. The trial involves a 3-week treatment along with a follow-up for 3 weeks. Its primary purpose is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of ultrasound-guided acupuncture in the TLF and its adjacent muscles as a treatment method for NLBP. As its secondary objective, the treatment effectiveness will be assessed by observing the changes in the patient’s pain level and low back dysfunction before and after treatment. The ultrasound-related parameters and adverse events will also be collected. Discussion It is a novel therapeutic approach to treat NLBP with ultrasound-guided acupuncture performed in the TLF and its adjacent muscles, which is characterized by integrating acupuncture with ultrasound. This study is a single-site, open, randomized controlled study designed and conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the method. If this strategy turns out to be safe and feasible, future in-depth and extensive research will be planned. Trial registration International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry, ITMCTR2025000046. Registered on January 9, 2025. http://itmctr.ccebtcm.org.cn/ |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7def5ced202a46ffa5dd384aa6affc49 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2055-5784 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pilot and Feasibility Studies |
| spelling | doaj-art-7def5ced202a46ffa5dd384aa6affc492025-08-20T04:01:26ZengBMCPilot and Feasibility Studies2055-57842025-07-0111111310.1186/s40814-025-01673-xPrecision targeting in acupuncture: a pilot and feasibility study protocol of ultrasound-guided approach for non-specific low back painZihan Liu0Tianying Chang1Jili Fu2Hui Chi3Xiaodan Wang4Lisha Wang5Wenqi Cui6Yingzi Cui7Zhibin Cong8Changchun University of Chinese MedicineEBM Office, the Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese MedicineDepartment of Ultrasound Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese MedicineDepartment of Ultrasound Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese MedicineChangchun University of Chinese MedicineChangchun University of Chinese MedicineChangchun University of Chinese MedicineEBM Office, the Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese MedicineDepartment of Ultrasound Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese MedicineAbstract Introduction Non-specific low back pain (NLBP) is increasingly prevalent in the world due to changes in lifestyle and work habits. It is found that the symptom is usually associated with damage in the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) and its surrounding muscles. This paper introduces a pioneering approach for treating NLBP, using the heterogeneous echo zones on ultrasound images as needling targets, presenting a novel treatment protocol. Methods An open randomized controlled trial is designed and conducted, in which 48 patients with NLBP will be randomly allocated at a ratio of one to one to an ultrasound-guided acupuncture (UGA) group and a regular acupuncture treatment (RA) group. The trial involves a 3-week treatment along with a follow-up for 3 weeks. Its primary purpose is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of ultrasound-guided acupuncture in the TLF and its adjacent muscles as a treatment method for NLBP. As its secondary objective, the treatment effectiveness will be assessed by observing the changes in the patient’s pain level and low back dysfunction before and after treatment. The ultrasound-related parameters and adverse events will also be collected. Discussion It is a novel therapeutic approach to treat NLBP with ultrasound-guided acupuncture performed in the TLF and its adjacent muscles, which is characterized by integrating acupuncture with ultrasound. This study is a single-site, open, randomized controlled study designed and conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the method. If this strategy turns out to be safe and feasible, future in-depth and extensive research will be planned. Trial registration International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry, ITMCTR2025000046. Registered on January 9, 2025. http://itmctr.ccebtcm.org.cn/https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-025-01673-xNon-specific low back painUltrasound-guided acupunctureThoracolumbar fascia |
| spellingShingle | Zihan Liu Tianying Chang Jili Fu Hui Chi Xiaodan Wang Lisha Wang Wenqi Cui Yingzi Cui Zhibin Cong Precision targeting in acupuncture: a pilot and feasibility study protocol of ultrasound-guided approach for non-specific low back pain Pilot and Feasibility Studies Non-specific low back pain Ultrasound-guided acupuncture Thoracolumbar fascia |
| title | Precision targeting in acupuncture: a pilot and feasibility study protocol of ultrasound-guided approach for non-specific low back pain |
| title_full | Precision targeting in acupuncture: a pilot and feasibility study protocol of ultrasound-guided approach for non-specific low back pain |
| title_fullStr | Precision targeting in acupuncture: a pilot and feasibility study protocol of ultrasound-guided approach for non-specific low back pain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Precision targeting in acupuncture: a pilot and feasibility study protocol of ultrasound-guided approach for non-specific low back pain |
| title_short | Precision targeting in acupuncture: a pilot and feasibility study protocol of ultrasound-guided approach for non-specific low back pain |
| title_sort | precision targeting in acupuncture a pilot and feasibility study protocol of ultrasound guided approach for non specific low back pain |
| topic | Non-specific low back pain Ultrasound-guided acupuncture Thoracolumbar fascia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-025-01673-x |
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