Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults

The standard acupuncture intervention is based on classical Chinese acupuncture therapy. Participants randomized to standard acupuncture will receive up to 15 acupuncture treatments over 3 months with the total number being determined by the patient and acupuncturist together. All treatments will include acupuncture needling only. They will be provided at medical facilities or in private acupuncturists' offices.

The enhanced acupuncture intervention includes the 3 months of standard acupuncture plus an additional 3 months of maintenance acupuncture. Participants randomized to enhanced acupuncture will receive up to 21 acupuncture treatments over 6 months. The maintenance acupuncture treatment sessions are expected to consist of the same intervention used in the first 3 months of care described in the standard acupuncture arm, plus up to 6 treatments during the maintenance phase. All treatments will include acupuncture needling only. They will be provided at medical facilities or in private acupuncturists' offices.