The effect of neuro emotional technique on chronic low back pain

Introduction: Recent evidence suggests that chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a complex, multi-factorial phenomenon with physical and biopsychosocial components. The biopsychosocial model of pain acknowledges the biological, psychological and social dimensions of the pain experience. Chiropractors, doctors and other clinicians have begun to embrace the concept of "mind-body" treatments and attempt to integrate the function of the mind in caring for their patients. Despite this development, very few mind-body treatments have been investigated under controlled conditions for their efficacy. Objective: The aim of this research was to explore the value if any, of the Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) approach to the management of CLBP, and to investigate if NET therapy can alter the status of low back pain (LBP) in a group of CLBP patients using a randomised controlled trial design. Methods: An NET protocol for low back pain treatment was standardised for the purpose of this research. Following the conduct of a feasibility study, 112 LBP participants with a pain duration of a minimum three months were randomised into either a treatment (n=58) or control (n=54) group. Participants were allocated to groups by a research assistant and were blinded to their assigned group. The treatment group underwent a course of NET, whilst the control group underwent a sham protocol of NET. Both groups were prescribed intervention at a frequency of two sessions per week for one month. Subjective and objective outcome measures including a numerical pain rating scale (VAS), the Oswestry disability questionnaire (ODQ), General health questionnaires (SF-36) and blood markers were all obtained at baseline, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. Results: A significant statistical difference between the NET and sham groups was detected in paper based and blood measures assessed in this RCT. The Oswestry, the QVAS and the SF-36 all attained statistical and clinical significance. Two blood inflammatory markers also showed positive changes: C-reactive protein decreased and TNFα decreased. These two measures had participants move from blood concentrations which would be considered abnormal into the normal range. Other blood inflammatory markers- Interleukin-1, Interleukin-6, Interleukin-10 all commenced within normal physiological range for both control and treatment groups. As such even though a positive statistical difference was attained for those markers, the changes are deemed to be of little clinical value. In each of the measures noted above, the changes were most marked in the short term, that is, after one month of intervention. Typically, participants in the experimental cohort retained the changes obtained following the one month intervention period. Conclusion: The findings of this RCT study suggest that NET therapy may be effective in the short term (one month) and medium-long term (six months) for reducing CLBP.