Efficacy of abdominal acupuncture for neck pain: A randomized controlled trial

This rigorous randomized clinical trial investigated the efficacy of abdominal acupuncture, a specialized technique based on meridian theory, for the treatment of neck pain. The research was conducted in Hong Kong between November 2014 and March 2016, enrolling 154 adult participants with chronic cervical pain. Abdominal acupuncture is a therapeutic microsystem developed by Dr. Zhiyun Bo that uses specific points on the abdomen to treat various conditions, especially pain and neurological disorders.

The study employed a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, considered the gold standard for clinical research. Participants were randomized to receive either true abdominal acupuncture or sham treatment with blunt non-penetrating needles. Both groups received six treatment sessions over two weeks, with follow-up assessments through 14 weeks. The standardized protocol included five specific abdominal points: Zhongwan, Guanyuan, and bilateral Shangqu and Huaroumen points.

The primary outcome was assessed using the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ), a validated tool that measures functional disability related to cervical pain. Results demonstrated clear superiority of abdominal acupuncture over placebo. In the active treatment group, there was a mean reduction of 11.65 points in the NPQ score at two weeks and 11.90 points at six weeks, compared to reductions of only 5.90 and 3.25 points in the placebo group, respectively. These differences were statistically significant and clinically relevant, representing functional improvements greater than 25% relative to baseline values.

As for pain intensity, measured by the Visual Analog Scale, the abdominal acupuncture group showed mean reductions of 2.58 points at two weeks and 2.36 points at six weeks, while the placebo group showed reductions of only 0.79 and 0.56 points. Notably, pain improvements were observed as early as after the first treatment session. Health-related quality of life, assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire, also showed significant improvements in the active treatment group across several dimensions, including physical function, bodily pain, and general health. Long-term follow-up of the active treatment group showed that benefits were maintained and even intensified at 14 weeks.

The study demonstrated excellent adherence with no losses to follow-up, and blinding was effective in both groups. Safety was satisfactory, with only 11 cases of transient hematomas at the puncture site in the active treatment group, with no serious adverse events. Clinical implications are significant. Abdominal acupuncture offers a valid therapeutic alternative for patients with cervical pain, particularly important given the limitations of conventional treatments.

The technique proved safe, well tolerated, and capable of producing lasting improvements in both pain and function. However, the study has some important limitations. It was conducted at a single center with a predominantly Chinese female population, limiting generalizability of results. The protocol used fixed points rather than individualization based on traditional Chinese medicine syndromes.

In addition, only six sessions were administered, while typical clinical protocols involve more treatments.