An evidence-based study of acupuncture as a holistic therapeutic intervention

Case study of chronic pain co-morbid with chronic anxiety

by Donald Lefeber MAOM, LAc, BA; Jiazhen Li MAOM, LAc, MD; and William C. Paske PhD

The Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA) suggests a reciprocal relationship exists between chronic pain, depression, and anxiety because they share the same pathophysiological pathways.^1,2

This case examines a 90-year-old female with co-morbid condition of chronic low back pain and chronic anxiety and the utilization of acupuncture as an holistic intervention.

METHODS

Evidence based evaluations are utilized with RU-Fit medical device and Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS) version 2.0

RU-Fit™, is an FDA approved instrument to measure fine motor coordination. It collects data and measurements associated with fine motor control (FMC), coordination variance, reaction time and strength in four one-minute tests before and after acupuncture treatments.

GAS assessed degree of anxiety of patient before starting acupuncture treatments and after a three-month period of acupuncture treatments.¹⁰

Patient received acupuncture treatments at Hope Clinic, Bellaire Texas, one time per week for 6 consecutive weeks, then every other week and occasionally consecutive weeks.

Case description

The patient is a 90-year-old woman with chronic low back pain due to osteoarthritis, co-morbid with chronic anxiety. Amelioration of the patient’s condition has remained a constant challenge for years with limited treatment success. Acupuncture treatments were from April 2, 2016 to October 29, 2016.

Systems Review

• Observation: Pronounced hunch back with abnormal and slow gait; required assistance of others for mobility in her walker.
• Head, EENT: Acid reflux every two to three days.
• Genito-urinary: Wakes up four times per night to urinate.
• Cardio-pulmonary: HTN over 50 years, high cholesterol 30 years.
• Temperature/perspiration: Sensitive to cold temperatures.
• Bowel movement: three times per week, feels bloating regularly.
• Diet & nutrition: Eats nutritious and balanced diet with home cooked foods, however craves sweets and rich foods such as fatty meats.
• Gynecological: 10 pregnancies, five miscarriage.
• Pain: Low back and hip—5/10 pain level when treatment started in April 2016.
• Medical History: Stroke. Depression diagnosed in March 2016. Dementia, short-term memory problems (first noticed after started to take laxatives…patient’s caretaker believes there was connection between dehydration and onset of dementia). Osteoarthritis for 20 years.
• Current medications and supplements: HTN medications used 50 years, cholesterol medications used 30 years.
• Nifedipine ER 60mg, Nexium 40mg, Metoprolol ER 100mg, Simvastin 20mg, Atenolol.
• Medication dosage has remained constant throughout duration of acupuncture treatments.

RESULTS

Treatment outcomes:

• 1^st treatment: Patient felt less: lower back pain, urination at night and frequency of acid reflux.
• 4^th treatment: No complaints of lower back pain, experienced increase in leg strength, less swelling and numbness of the ankles. There was increase in the range of motion of back with improved posture, gait and autonomous mobility of the patient. Anecdotal evidence from patient’s daughter reported “she can get in and out of bed without help.” She also mentioned, “after the first month of treatment, alongside increased levels of physical and social activities, the patient experienced a transformation in mood, demeanor, mental health and patient’s inner will and strength in the form of stronger desires. Patient reported appreciating life and being happy for the first time in many years.
• 7^th treatment: No complaints of acid reflux in past week. Consistent increases in energy levels (up to four hours of physical activity per day) lasting several days after treatment.
• 10^th treatment: Balance and coordination are reportedly better. Patient has depended less on walker. She demonstrated picking up a piece of food off the ground by bending over while balancing on one leg.
• 11^th to 16^th treatment: Maintained overall increased levels of physical activity and decreased levels and episodes of anxiety.

Physical Measurements and data collected by RU-Fit™:

RU-Fit™ testing started on April 11, 2016 (2^nd treatment). FMC

After three months of acupuncture treatments GAS scores improved from a total score of 54 to 34 (37 percent improvement). Improvements in GAS subscale scores occurred most in affective (47.4 percent) followed by somatic (47.1 percent) and cognitive (16.7 percent) scores respectively.

Subscale	Before Acupuncture (Before April 2016)	After Acupuncture (July 23, 2016)
Somatic	17	9 (47.1 percent change)
Cognitive	18	15 (16.7 percent change)
Affective	19	10 (47.4 percemt change)

DISCUSSION

Improvements were observed with treatment outcomes, GAS scores and measurements from RU-Fit™.

GAS subscale scores indicate that etiology and pathogenesis of anxiety were somatic and mental in nature. Improvements were seen from initial assessment compared to three-month follow-up.

Coinciding improvements with mental and physical health evidenced through FMC, GAS scores and treatment outcomes suggests that a reciprocal nature and relationship may exist with chronic pain and anxiety.

Conclusion

Systems biology, Integral Physiology and many other disciplines that make up the field of Integrative Medicine are establishing credibility and understanding to the mind-body connection and viewing the body as a whole and integrated system. Physical and mental changes and improvements from investigative tools suggests a reciprocal nature of pain, anxiety, depression; and acupuncture as an effective holistic therapeutic intervention.