Electroacupuncture combined with salt stone bed heat therapy for lumbar degenerative back pain: A clinical study

Abstract

Objects: To evaluate the effectiveness of combining electroacupuncture with hot compresses using a salt stone bed in the treatment of back pain due to lumbar degenerative disease, and to assess any associated adverse effects. Subject and methods: Patients over 18 years old regardless of gender or occupation, diagnosed with back pain due to lumbar degenerative disease according to the 2014 Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Diseases by the Vietnam Ministry of Health, were recruited from November 2023 to May 2024, at HaiPhong Traditional Medicine Hospital. It’s a pre – post study, comparing the study group to the control group before and after the treatment. Convenient sampling was chosen, each group has at least 30 patients; in fact, there are total of 68 patients divided equally in two groups (34 patients each). Results: Most patients were over 60 years old (67.6% in the study group, 61.8% in the control group) and predominantly female (71% in the study group, 68% in the control group). The study group showed significant improvements in pain levels (VAS score decreased from 6.4 ± 1.1 to 3.1 ± 1.0), lumbar spine extension (increased from 2.3 ± 0.6 cm to 3.4 ± 0.7 cm), and disability level (Owestry Disability Index - ODI score decreased from 23.0 ± 5.3 to 8.5 ± 5.6). These improvements were statistically greater than those observed the control group. No adverse effects were reported during electroacupuncture. However, three patients in the study group experienced skin irritation, which resolved after adjusting the bed temperature, and one patient discontinued treatment due to itching from the hot compresses. Conclusion: Combining electroacupuncture with hot compresses therapy using salt stone bed is more effective in reducing pain, improving lumbar flexibility, and enhancing daily functions than electroacupuncture alone. It is important to monitor patients for skin irritation, adjust bed temperatures as needed, consider patient allergy histories before treatment and regularly clean the salt stone bed.