05 September 2008
A randomized controlled trial of acupuncture added to usual treatment for fibromyalgia.
J Rehabil Med. 2008 Jul;40(7):582-8.
Targino RA, Imamura M, Kaziyama HH, Souza LP, Hsing WT, Furlan AD,
Imamura ST, Azevedo Neto RS.
Departamento de Patologia, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo 455.
PMID: 18758677
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture for fibromyalgia.
METHODS: Fifty-eight women with fibromyalgia were allocated randomly
to receive either acupuncture together with tricyclic antidepressants
and exercise (n=34), or tricyclic antidepressants and exercise only
(n=24). Patients rated their pain on a visual analogue scale. A
blinded assessor evaluated both the mean pressure pain threshold
value over all 18 fibromyalgia points and quality of life using SF-36.
RESULTS: At the end of 20 sessions, patients who received acupuncture
were significantly better than the control group in all measures of
pain and in 5 of the SF-36 subscales. After 6 months, the acupuncture
group was significantly better than the control group in numbers of
tender points, mean pressure pain threshold at the 18 tender points
and 3 subscales of SF-36. After one year, the acupuncture group
showed significance in one subscale of the SF-36; at 2 years there
were no significant differences in any outcome measures.
CONCLUSION: Addition of acupuncture to usual treatments for
fibromyalgia may be beneficial for pain and quality of life for 3
months after the end of treatment. Future research is needed to
evaluate the specific effects of acupuncture for fibromyalgia.