Table 1.

Psychophysics and clinical outcome comparison between both groups.

Outcome Measure	REAL	PHNT	REAL Vs. PHNT
Acupuncture sensation intensity (0–10)
Aching	2.29 ± 1.87, p < 0.05	0.44 ± 0.81, p < 0.05	p < 0.01
Soreness	2.04 ± 1.70, p < 0.05	0.33 ± 0.97, p = 0.15	p < 0.01
Deep pressure	2.62 ± 1.88, p < 0.05	0.52 ± 1.20, p = 0.07	p < 0.01
Heaviness	2.44 ± 1.84, p < 0.05	0.57 ± 1.23, p < 0.05	p < 0.01
Fullness	1.86 ± 1.56, p < 0.05	0.25 ± 0.72, p = 0.14	p < 0.01
Tingling	2.21 ± 1.85, p < 0.05	0.26 ± 0.96, p = 0.24	p < 0.01
Dull pain	1.42 ± 1.29, p < 0.05	0.28 ± 0.72, p = 0.10	p < 0.01
Throbbing	0.94 ± 1.15, p < 0.05	0.20 ± 0.48, p = 0.08	p < 0.01
Sharp pain	2.06 ± 1.79, p < 0.05	0.26 ± 0.71, p = 0.12	p < 0.01
Spreading	1.46 ± 1.56, p < 0.05	0.46 ± 1.13, p = 0.08	p < 0.05
MASS index	2.88 ± 1.80, p < 0.05	0.61 ± 1.30, p < 0.05	p < 0.01
Low back pain intensity (0–10)
Pre-VAS	2.79 ± 1.63, p < 0.05	3.70 ± 1.49, p < 0.05	p < 0.05
Post-VAS	2.64 ± 1.34, p < 0.05	3.31 ± 1.70, p < 0.05	p = 0.25
Δ VAS	−0.61 ± 1.66, p = 0.62	−0.56 ± 1.27, p < 0.05	p = 0.30