Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults
Completed · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Chronic Low-back Pain
In brief
The main goal of the BackInAction research study is to determine the effectiveness of a standard course of acupuncture (15 sessions of acupuncture over 3 months) and an enhanced course of acupuncture (an additional 6 sessions of acupuncture over months 4-6) in improving back-related disability in older adults (65+ years) with chronic low back pain compared to usual care alone. Key secondary aims are to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture in improving a composite score of pain intensity and pain interference.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT04982315
- Run by
- Kaiser Permanente
- People needed
- 807
- Starts
- 2021-08-12
- Expected to finish
- 2024-02-07
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-01-06
Who can join
Age: 65 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Is at least 65 years of age
- Is a current member or patient of the healthcare system
- Visited a health care provider for low back pain within the past 12 months
- Received primary care at one of the participating health care systems
- Has back pain that is uncomplicated with or without radicular pain
- Back pain at least 3 months
- General activity question from PEG (Pain, Pain Interference with Enjoyment, General Activity scale) at least 3
- Primary care provider provides permission to contact patient
- Willing and able to provide consent (Callahan cognitive impairment screener at least 3)
You may not qualify if…
- Specific types of back pain (metastatic cancer or bone cancer or secondary cancers, vertebral fractures, spinal infection, active inflammatory disease)
- Low back surgery within past 3 months
- Receiving workers compensation or involved in litigation related to chronic low back pain
- Acupuncture within the last 6 months
- Does not speak or write English or Spanish
- Major psychosis, dementia
- Current cancer treatment
- Red flags of serious underlying illness (a fever most days in the last month; recent unexplained weight loss of 10 lbs or more)
- Living in a nursing home, on Hospice, or palliative care
- Non-speaking deafness
- Non-reliable transportation
Where it is running
- Kaiser Permanente Division of Research — Oakland, California, United States
- Sutter Health — Walnut Creek, California, United States
- Institute for Family Health — New York, New York, United States
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute — Seattle, Washington, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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