Acupuncture effects on pain and health status in women with fibromyalgia: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on pain and health status in women with fibromyalgia. The present randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trialwas carried out with one sample of 40 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia .They were randomized into one acupuncture group (n = 20; 51.7 ± 6.5 years old) and one sham acupuncture group (n = 20; 49.7 ± 7.2 years old). Acupuncture (points: pericardium 6, heart 7, large intestine 4, stomach 36, spleen-pancreas 6, and liver 2, variable depth with Deqi stimulation) and sham acupuncture (15mm lateral to the acupoint, outside the meridian line) were performed for 30min., once a week, and with a four-week follow-up. Pain (Visual Analogue Scale), algometry (lateral epicondyle, trapezius, suboccipital, 2^nd rib), and health status (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) was assessed before the first and after the last intervention. Data were analyzed by the intention-to-treat.Acupuncture reduced pain by 16% (p<0.001) and improved health status by 21% (p<0.001). The improvement in health status (p<0.001) is due to the increased ability to work and go out, and reduced pain, fatigue, tiredness, and depression. Acupuncture reduced pain and improved health statusin women with fibromyalgia.