Acupuncture treatment in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca: a pilot study
Item
Title
Acupuncture treatment in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca: a pilot study
Author(s)
Journal Publication
Date
2004
volume
82(3)
pages
283-290
Research Type
RCT
Keywords
Abstract
Abstract. Aim: To evaluate the effects of acupuncture in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Material and Methods: Twenty-five patients (20 women, five men) with KCS were randomly assigned to an acupuncture treatment group or a control group. The effects of acupuncture were evaluated by a questionnaire on symptoms, visual analogue scale recordings, registration of drop frequency, and dry eye tests. Ten acupuncture sessions were given. Follow-up was carried out after 2-3 weeks and again after a mean period of 8 months. Results: Patients receiving acupuncture felt better at the first follow-up compared with the control group (p = 0.036). However, no statistical significance could be found concerning any change, or difference, in the total number of subjective symptoms, dosage frequency or, as indicated by the dry eye tests, tear quality, tear secretion and ocular surface disease. Conclusion: The results indicate that acupuncture has subjective beneficial effects in patients with KCS and could therefore be tried as a complement to ordinary treatment
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has health condition studied
Eye Diseases
plan
>1/WK
has study population number
25
has duration
7.5 Weeks