Table 1. Baseline characteristics

Characteristics 100-Hz electroacupuncture (n = 62) 2-Hz electroacupuncture (n = 62) p value
Age group 0.228
 <45 17.74 24.19
 45 − <60 40.32 48.39
 ≥60 41.94 27.42
Gender 0.687
 Male 25.81 29.03
 Female 74.19 70.97
Pulse (per minute) 81 ± 4 79 ± 5 0.015
Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) 120 ± 9 118 ± 12 0.296
Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) 74 ± 7 72 ± 9 0.170
QDSA score 44 ± 5 43 ± 4 0.221
Body max index (kg/m2) 0.524
 <23 32.26 41.94
 23 − <25 53.23 46.77
 ≥25 14.52 11.29
Occupation 0.579
 Manual labor 64.52 59.68
 Mental labor 35.48 40.32
Duration of low back pain 0.442
 6 months – 5 years 35.48 29.03
 ≥ 5 years 64.52 70.97
0.863
Comorbidities 25.81 27.42
 Other musculoskeletal diseases 51.61 46.77
 Gastritis 12.90 17.74
 Cardiovascular diseases 9.68 8.06
 Diabetes mellitus
Radiographic findings 0.899
 Osteophyte formation 41.94 45.16
 Joint space narrowing 16.13 19.35
 Subchondral sclerosis 9.68 8.06
 Osteophyte formation 32.26 27.42
 + Joint space narrowing
Decoction using 1
 Use Non-use 100 100
 Non-use 0 0
Data are given as percentage of each group.
Data are given as mean ± SD unless.
Abbreviations: QDSA, Questionnaire Douleur Saint Antoine