Author: Uğurlu FG1, Sezer N1, Aktekin L1, Fidan F1, Tok F2, Akkuş S1
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Yıldırım Beyazıt University Medical School.
<sup>2</sup>Gülhane Military Medical Academy.
Conference/Journal: Acta Reumatol Port.
Date published: 2017 Jan-Mar
Other:
Volume ID: 42 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: 32-37 , Word Count: 204
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this manuscript is to determine and to compare the efficacy of real acupuncture with sham acupuncture on fibromyalgia (FM) treatment.
METHODS: 50 women with FM were randomized into 2 groups to receive either true acupuncture or sham acupuncture. Subjects were evaluated with VAS (at night, at rest, during activity), SF-36, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Beck Depression scale (BDI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) at baseline, 1 month and 2 months after the 1st session. Patients in both groups received 3 sessions in the 1st week, 2 sessions/week during 2 weeks and 1 session/week in the following 5 weeks (totally 12 sessions).
RESULTS: 25 subjects with a mean age of 47,28±7,86 years were enrolled in true acupuncture group and 25 subjects with a mean age of 43,60±8,18 years were enrolled in sham acupuncture group. Both groups improved significantly in all parameters 1 month after the 1st session and this improvement persisted 2 months after the 1st session (p<0,05). However, real acupuncture group had better scores than sham acupuncture score in terms of all VAS scores, BDI and FIQ scores either 1 or 2 months after the 1st session (all p<0,05).
CONCLUSION: Acupuncture significantly improved pain and symptoms of FM. Although sham effect was important, real acupuncture treatment seems to be effective in treatment of FM.
PMID: 28371571