Lopacz 1979.

Methods	‐ Randomization procedure not described. ‐ Nobody was blinded.
Participants	34 male patients from a neurology department. Inclusion criteria: low‐back pain for 1 month or more. Age: mean 42 years old (ranged from 25 to 52).
Interventions	1) Acupuncture: 4 needles close to spine, 10 minutes, 4 treatments, 8 days, plus pharmacotherapy. Teh Chi unclear. Training & experience of acupuncturists unknown. Randomized to this group: 18 2) Placebo, suggestion, new Swedish method for pain relief, same 4 points echo‐encephalography, 10 minutes, 4 treatments, 8 days, plus pharmacotherapy. Randomized to this group: 16
Outcomes	1) Global improvement (5‐point scale): very good, good, doubtful, unchanged and worsening. Measured after first treatment and after 4 treatments Costs: not reported Complications: not reported
Notes	Very short term follow‐up only. Small sample size. Authors dichotomized at very good + good versus others. We classified the patients as chronic low‐back pain. Language: Polish Publication: full paper No additional information from authors For results, see the comparisons: 5.2 Conclusions: "The therapeutic results were better, both immediately and after a series of acupuncture. The difference in the results of treatment was statistically significant in the patients with longest duration of pains (>3 months)".