The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of Koryo Hand-Acupuncture on health status(pain, trunk flexion, IADL, depression) of patients with chronic low back pain.

This study used a quasi experimental pre-test and post-test design. Data were collected from December 1st, 2000 to December 20th, 2001. 63 chronic low back pain patients(35 experimental group, 28 control group) admitted to the Back-School and consented to this study. The experimental group participated in treatment : Koryo Hand-Acupuncture and AB-Bong. Two groups was homogeneity. After 4 weeks the effects of treatment on the health status was measured between experimental and control group. Data were analyzed using SPSSWIN 10.0 with crosstab, t-test, and paired t-test.

In the experimental group, pain(t=4.85, p=.000) and IADL difficulty(t=2.05, p=.045) was significantly lower than those in the control group. It makes no difference trunk flexion(t=-1.60, p=.114) and depression(t=1.50, p=.138) between experimental and control group.

These findings indicate that Koryo-Hand Acupuncture is an effective method for reducing pain and IADL difficulty in patients with chronic low back pain, and is considered as a independent nursing intervention for chronic low back pain.