Clinical outcomes and psychosomatic correlates of integrative inpatient care based on Traditional Korean Medicine for acute neck and low back pain following traffic accidents: a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Traffic accidents (TAs) frequently cause acute neck and low back pain accompanied by psychosomatic symptoms. This study evaluated the clinical utility and safety of Traditional Korean Medicine as part of integrative care for acute axial pain following TAs and explored how psychosomatic factors influence recovery. Methods: Inpatient cohort data from patients with TA-related neck or low back pain, collected between September 2018 and March 2023, were analyzed. Patients received semi-standardized Traditional Korean Medicine treatments, including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, cupping, herbal medicine, and Chuna manual therapy. Axial pain was defined as a higher Numeric Rating Scale score for either neck or low back pain. We assessed changes in pain, function, psychosomatic symptoms, and quality of life and analyzed the associations between pain and psychosomatic factors. Results: One hundred ninety patients were analyzed. Significant improvements were observed, with mean changes in axial, neck, and low back pain of 2.09, 2.21, and 1.94 (all p < 0.05). On admission, the axial pain Numeric Rating Scale scores were positively correlated with the Insomnia Severity Index and Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Greater reductions in axial pain, as measured by Numeric Rating Scale scores, were significantly associated with decreases in scores on the Beck Anxiety Inventory, Fatigue Severity Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Insomnia Severity Index in regression analyses adjusted for clinical and demographic covariates. No serious adverse events were reported, and blood test results were normal. Conclusion: Traditional Korean Medicine appears to be an effective and safe treatment for acute neck and low back pain after TAs. Moreover, improvements in psychosomatic symptoms may have contributed to the improved pain-related outcomes.