A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing the Effectiveness of Electroacupuncture versus Medium-Frequency Electrotherapy for Discogenic Sciatica

Objective. To investigate the short- and long-term effects of electroacupuncture (EA) compared with medium-frequency electrotherapy (MFE) on chronic discogenic sciatica. Methods. One hundred participants were randomized into two groups to receive EA (n=50) or MFE (n=50) for 4 weeks. A 28-week follow-up of the two groups was performed. The primary outcome measure was the average leg pain intensity. The secondary outcome measures were the low back pain intensity, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), patient global impression (PGI), drug use frequency, and EA acceptance. Results. The mean changes in the average leg pain numerical rating scale (NRS) scores were 2.30 (1.86–2.57) and 1.06 (0.62–1.51) in the EA and MFE groups at week 4, respectively. The difference was significant (P