Efeitos da auriculoterapia com laser associado a Ventosaterapia sistêmica na dor crônica da coluna vertebral: ensaio clínico randomizado controlado

Abstract

Chronic pain is a serious public health problem. Musculoskeletal conditions that affect the spine are common causes of chronic pain. In this scenario, complementary techniques have been used in order to reduce pain, including auriculotherapy and cupping therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of LASER auriculotherapy associated with cupping therapy at systemic points in chronic pain in the spine. A randomized, controlled trial with masked evaluator was conducted. The volunteers were submitted to three evaluations. The first at moment zero, before the intervention, followed by evaluation after the last intervention session and with a 15 days follow-up. The volunteer characterization Instrument, pain intensity assessment by the Visual Numerical Pain Scale (VNS) with a record of pain ah the time of assessment and the greatest and least pain in the last seven days and assessment of the nociceptive threshold against the mechanical stimulus by the algometer. An independent researcher performed the randomization process in two groups: Experimental Group (EG, n =24) and Control Group (CG, n=23). The EG was submitted to 10 sessions of auriculotherapy with LASER twice a week and 5 sessions of systemic cupping therapy once a week. The CG did not receive any intervention and was evaluated ah the corresponding moments of the EG. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistical Program was used for data analysis. The results showed significant reduction in pain intensity in the comparison between pre and post moments and pre and follow-up (p=<0,0001) in the EG group. It was also observed a significant reduction in the highest pain in the last 7 days in the comparison between all moments (p=<0,0001) in the EG group and decreased significant pain in the last 7 days in the comparison between pre and post (p=0.006) and pre and follow-up (p=0.002) in the EG group. In relation to the nociceptive threshold, there was an increase in the threshold in the comparison between pre and post (p=0.023) in the EG group and significant reduction in the comparison between pre and post (p=0.001) and pre and follow-up (p=<0,0001) in the CG. It is concluded that the proposed intervention decreased pain in people with chronic pain in the spine. The effects of the intervention were maintained for 15 days after the last session.