1. What data in particular will be shared?
   Response - Individual participant data that underlie the results reported in this article, after de-identification (text, tables, figures, and appendices).
   


2. What additional supporting information will be shared?
   Response - Clinical Study Report
   
   
3. Who will be able to view these files?
   Response - Researchers whose proposed use of the data has been approved by an independent review committee identified for this purpose.
   


4. For what types of analyses will this data be available?
   Response - To achieve aims in the approved proposal.
   


5. By what mechanism will data be made available?
   Response - Proposals should be directed to [kaesitharagupathi@gmail.com].
   


6. For how long will this data be available start date provided 15-10-2027 and end date provided 31-12-2030?
   Response - Immediately following publication. No end date.
   


7. Any URL or additional information regarding plan/policy for sharing IPD? 
   Additional Information - NIL

The study titled “Evaluating the Analgesic Effect of Battlefield Acupuncture Points on Acute Non-Specific Low Back Pain – A Randomized Controlled Trial” aims to determine whether Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA), a specialized form of auricular acupuncture, can reduce pain and improve function in adults with acute non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). Low back pain is a major global health problem, and existing treatments such as NSAIDs and opioids carry risks. BFA offers a simple, fast-acting, low-cost, and drug-free alternative, but strong evidence—especially in Indian populations—is lacking.

A randomized controlled study will be conducted among 68 participants aged 18–65 years, recruited from the outpatient department of IIYNMS, Chengalpattu. Eligible participants must have NSLBP, no prior acupuncture within 7 days, willingness to participate, and a baseline pain score above 3 on VAS and NRS. Individuals with ear injuries, systemic or psychiatric illnesses, needle phobia, pregnancy, spinal pathology, previous lumbar surgery, or non-spinal causes of pain will be excluded.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either a study group receiving BFA or a control group waitlisted without intervention. The BFA protocol involves applying press needles to five key auricular points—Cingulate Gyrus, Thalamus, Omega 2, Point Zero, and Shenmen—bilaterally, delivered on alternate days for 15 sessions over one month, with each session lasting 30 minutes.

Outcome measurements will be taken at baseline and at 30 days. Primary outcomes include pain intensity using an algometer, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary outcomes include functional disability assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and quality of life using the SF-36 questionnaire. Data will be analyzed using SPSS.

Ethical approval will be obtained, and informed consent will be secured from all participants. The study is expected to provide evidence on the effectiveness of Battlefield Acupuncture as a safe, rapid, non-pharmacological intervention for acute non-specific low back pain.