Key Finding
This is a protocol for a systematic review that will evaluate acupuncture's effectiveness for residual low back pain affecting 1.8% to 31.9% of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture patients after percutaneous kyphoplasty surgery.
Many older adults with osteoporosis experience vertebral compression fractures, which are breaks in the bones of the spine. While a minimally invasive procedure called percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) can help stabilize these fractures, studies show that between 2% and 32% of patients continue to experience persistent low back pain afterward. This ongoing pain can significantly impact quality of life and daily activities.
Researchers are planning a comprehensive review to evaluate whether acupuncture can safely and effectively relieve this residual back pain following PKP surgery. They will search multiple medical databases from around the world, including both English and Chinese language studies, to find all relevant clinical trials that have tested acupuncture for this specific condition.
The review will examine how well acupuncture reduces pain intensity, improves physical function, enhances quality of life, and whether it causes any adverse effects. The researchers will analyze pain levels using standardized measurement scales, as well as assess disability scores and long-term outcomes including whether pain returns after treatment stops.
This systematic review is important because while acupuncture has shown promise for various types of back pain, no comprehensive analysis has specifically focused on its effectiveness for the persistent pain that some patients experience after vertebral fracture surgery. The results will help patients and healthcare providers make more informed decisions about whether acupuncture should be considered as part of a treatment plan for this challenging condition. If you're considering acupuncture for post-surgical back pain, consult with a licensed acupuncturist who has experience treating orthopedic conditions.
This protocol outlines a systematic review and meta-analysis examining acupuncture efficacy for residual low back pain following percutaneous kyphoplasty in osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture patients. The review will search major English and Chinese databases for randomized controlled trials, with primary outcomes measured via VAS and secondary outcomes including ODI, QUALEFFO-41, recurrence rates, and adverse events. Notably, 1.8% to 31.9% of OVCF patients experience persistent pain post-PKP, representing a significant clinical burden. Two independent reviewers will conduct study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment, with meta-analysis performed using RevMan V.5.3 when appropriate. This represents the first systematic evaluation specifically targeting acupuncture for post-PKP residual pain in this population. The protocol has been registered (CRD42023478838) and findings will inform evidence-based clinical decision-making regarding acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment for this challenging post-surgical complication in elderly osteoporotic patients.
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