Effects of acupuncture to treat fibromyalgia: A preliminary randomised controlled trial

Item

Title

Effects of acupuncture to treat fibromyalgia: A preliminary randomised controlled trial

Author(s)

Journal Publication

Date

2010

volume

5()

pages

11-

Research Type

RCT

Keywords

Abstract

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Acupuncture is often used to treat fibromyalgia (FM), but it remains unclear whether acupuncture is effective. This study aims to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on pain and quality of life (QoL) in FM patients. METHODS: Sixteen patients (13 women and 3 men aged 25-63 years) suffering from FM were randomised into two groups: group A (n = 8) received five acupuncture treatments after the fifth week and group B received ten acupuncture treatments. Outcome measures used in this study were pain intensity (visual analogue scale, VAS) and the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ). RESULTS: After the fifth week, pain intensity (U = 25.0; P = 0.022) in group B decreased and QoL (U = 24.5; P = 0.026) improved compared to group A. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that acupuncture treatment is effective to relieve pain for FM patients in terms of QoL and FIQ.

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has health condition studied

Nervous System Diseases

plan

1/WK

has study population number

16

has duration

10 Weeks

Item sets