Identification of Clinical Questions for the Development of Clinical Practice Guideline on Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Nonspecific Low Back Pain Using the Modified Delphi Method

Abstract

Nonspecific low back pain, a common clinical disease, is with high morbidity and prone to recurrent attacks. Clinical practice has proven that acupuncture and moxibustion therapies have positive effects on nonspecific low back pain, and the therapies are various, yet there is a lack of scientific and normative clinical practice guidelines. Identifying clinical questions is the most important step in developing clinical practice guidelines. This paper summarized the process and experience of the successful identification of clinical questions in the development of Clinical Practice Guideline on Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Nonspecific Low Back Pain by the guideline expert panel using the modified Delphi method, hoping to provide a reference for developing acupuncture and moxibustion-related clinical practice guidelines.

Keywords

• lumbago|acupuncture moxibustion therapy|nonspecific low back pain|guidebook|delphi technique|modified delphi method