Electroacupuncture for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain in Prime Working-Age Adults: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

INTERVENTION: Electroacupuncture Group:Electroacupuncture.Detailed Description: Points: Three pairs of bilateral Jiaji points (EX‐B2), centered around the responsible spinal segment (upper, middle, and lower pairs). Procedure: Disposable sterile needles (0.30×40mm) are inserted perpendicularly to a depth of approximately 30mm (1 cun) to achieve De Qi sensation. Electroacupuncture stimulator is connected. Parameters: Dense‐disperse wave, 2/10 Hz frequency. Current intensity is adjusted to 1‐5mA to induce visible rhythmic muscle contractions without causing intolerable pain. Duration: 30 minutes per session. Regimen: 10 sessions over 4 weeks (3 sessions weekly for the first 2 weeks, 2 sessions weekly for the last 2 weeks).;Sham Electroacupuncture Group:Sham Electroacupuncture. Detailed Description: Points: Same as the electroacupuncture group. Procedure: A disposable blunt‐tip (non‐penetrating) needle is used. The needle tip is gently pressed against an adhesive pad placed on the acupoint to simulate needle insertion without piercing the skin. Device: A deactivated electroacupuncture device (identical in appearance and sound to the real device, with indicator lights functioning but no electrical output) is connected. The operator simulates turning the dials to adjust current. Regimen: Same as the electroacupuncture group: 10 sessions of 30 minutes over 4 weeks.; CONDITION: Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain PRIMARY OUTCOME: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for Low Back Pain; SECONDARY OUTCOME: Roland‐Morris Disability Questionnaire Score (RMDQ);Oswestry Disability Inde XScore (ODI) ;36‐Item Short Form Health Survey Score (SF‐36);Self‐Rating Anxiety Scale Score(SAS);Self‐Rating Depression Scale Score (SDS) ; Patient Global Assessment (PGA);Rescue Medication Use;Patient Blinding Assessment (PBA);Incidence of adverse events (AEs); INCLUSION CRITERIA: Inclusion Criteria (1)Meet the diagnostic criteria for chronic nonspecific low back pain according to the 2020 NASS Evidence‐Based Clinical Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Back Pain and the 2022 Chinese Clinical Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Nonspecific Low Back Pain; (2) Aged between 25 and 54 years (inclusive), regardless of gender; (3) Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for low back pain = 40 mm; (4) The participant provides informed consent, signs the informed consent form, and voluntarily agrees to participate in this study. Note: Participants must meet ALL of the above criteria to be enrolled in this study.