Immediate effects of traditional and laser acupuncture in chronic non-specific neck pain: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Neck pain is considered one of the most prevalent global public health problems. This study aimed to compare the immediate and subsequent effects of traditional acupuncture (TA) and laser acupuncture (LA) therapies in individuals with chronic non-specific neck pain. Eighty-four individuals were randomly allocated into 3 groups: TA (needle acupuncture treatment), LA (laser acupuncture treatment: 808 nm; 100 mW; 10 J per point), and S-LA (sham laser acupuncture). The participants were men and women aged between 18 and 60 years who had experienced chronic non-specific neck pain for a minimum period of 3 months. The Tianzhu, Fengchi, Jianjing, and Jianzhongshu acupuncture points were stimulated bilaterally. The primary outcomes were pain intensities at rest and during active neck movements, assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale. The secondary outcomes were Pressure Pain Threshold, Temporal Summation of pain, Conditioned Pain Modulation, and Global Perceived Effect scale. The assessments were performed immediately before and after a single treatment session. Additionally, determinations of pain intensity at rest and Global Perceived Effect were performed in a follow-up assessment one month after the interventions. The results showed that the TA and LA interventions were equally significantly superior in reducing immediate pain compared to placebo laser acupuncture (p = 0.001). Traditional acupuncture and laser acupuncture provided equally effective reductions of pain intensity in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. Clinical Trial registration: RBR-7vbw5gd (Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials - ReBEC).