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Effects of acupuncture to treat fibromyalgia: a preliminary randomised controlled trial
Itoh K, Kitakoji H
Chinese Medicine 2010 Mar 23;5(11):Epub
clinical trial
4/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: No; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

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 to 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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