Randomized, Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for Fatigue in Parkinson's Disease.
Author: Kluger BM1, Rakowski D1, Christian M2, Cedar D2, Wong B2, Crawford J2, Uveges K2, Berk J1, Abaca E1, Corbin L2, Garvan C3.
Affiliation:
1Departments of Neurology and Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA. 2Department of Integrative Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA. 3College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Conference/Journal: Mov Disord.
Date published: 2016 Mar 29
Other:
Special Notes: doi: 10.1002/mds.26597. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 185
BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a common and debilitating nonmotor symptom of PD. Because preliminary evidence suggests that acupuncture improves fatigue in other conditions, we sought to test its efficacy in PD.
METHODS: Ninety-four PD patients with moderate-to-high fatigue were randomized to receive 6 weeks of biweekly real or sham acupuncture. The primary outcome was change on the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale at 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes included sleep, mood, quality of life, and maintenance of benefits at 12 weeks.
RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvements in fatigue at 6 and 12 weeks, but with no significant between-group differences. Improvements from baseline in mood, sleep, and quality of life were noted without between-group differences. Overall, 63% of patients reported noticeable improvements in their fatigue. No serious adverse events were observed.
CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture may improve PD-related fatigue, but real acupuncture offers no greater benefit than sham treatments. PD-related fatigue should be added to the growing list of conditions that acupuncture helps primarily through nonspecific or placebo effects. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
© 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
KEYWORDS: Parkinson's disease; acupuncture; fatigue; randomized, controlled trial
PMID: 27028133 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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