Spine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Lessons from a trial of acupuncture and massage for low back pain: patient expectations and treatment effects.
A subanalysis of data derived from a randomized clinical trial was performed. ⋯ The results of this study suggest that patient expectations may influence clinical outcome independently of the treatment itself. In contrast, general optimism about treatment, divorced from a specific treatment, is not strongly associated with outcome. These results may have important implications for clinical trial design and recruitment, and may help to explain the apparent success of some conventional and alternative therapies in trials that do not control for patient expectations. The findings also may be important for therapy choices made in the clinical setting.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Radiofrequency facet joint denervation in the treatment of low back pain: a placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess efficacy.
A prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial was performed. ⋯ Although radiofrequency facet joint denervation may provide some short-term improvement in functional disability among patients with chronic low back pain, the efficacy of this treatment has not been established.