Improvement in Fibromyalgia Symptoms With Acupuncture: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Martin, David P.; Sletten, Christopher D.; Williams, Brent A.; Berger, Ines H.

doi:10.4065/81.6.749

Cited by 128 publications

(174 citation statements)

References 12 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

143

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…These values are higher than those reported for the same variables in previous studies. [36][37][38][39] In our study, the strength of the effect size observed at the end of the treatment period was notably greater (0.5 vs 0.14) than that reported in a recent systematic review that took into account major clinical trials of acupuncture treatment for fibromyalgia. 21 The observation herein that the positive effects of acupuncture on pain reduction, functional capacity, and quality of life were maintained both at 6 and 12 months is in contrast to previous similar studies.…”

Section: Depressioncontrasting

confidence: 38%

“…21 The observation herein that the positive effects of acupuncture on pain reduction, functional capacity, and quality of life were maintained both at 6 and 12 months is in contrast to previous similar studies. [36][37][38] One fundamental difference between the present study and earlier research is the implementation of individualised treatment that was reassessed throughout the intervention period. This may explain the larger size and/or longer duration of the effect, although we cannot be certain about this as there was no non-individualised acupuncture comparator group in the present study.…”

Section: Depressionmentioning

confidence: 66%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia in Primary Care: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Vas¹,

Santos-Rey²,

Navarro-Pablo

et al. 2016

Acupunct Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of an individualised acupuncture protocol for patients with fibromyalgia. Methods Randomised controlled multicentre trial, blinded to participants and to data analysts. Conducted in three primary care centres in southern Spain. A total of 164 participants aged over 17 years and diagnosed with fibromyalgia were enrolled in this trial; 153 participants completed the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the real intervention (individualised acupuncture, IA) or the sham intervention (sham acupuncture, SA). In both the IA and SA groups, one session per week (lasting 20 min) was provided, in addition to usual pharmacological treatment. The primary outcome was change in pain intensity at 10 weeks. Results Intention-to-treat analysis revealed that the decrease in pain intensity at 10 weeks was greater (p=0.001) in the IA group (−41.0%, 95% CI −47.2% to −34.8%) than in the SA group (−27.1%, 95% CI −33.2% to −20.9%). During the follow-up period, significant differences (p<0.01) in favour of the IA group persisted at 12 months (IA: −19.9%, 95% CI −24.6% to −15.1%; vs SA: −6.2%, 95% CI −11.2% to −1.2%). Conclusions Individualised acupuncture treatment in primary care in patients with fibromyalgia proved efficacious in terms of pain relief, compared with placebo treatment. The effect persisted at 1 year, and its side effects were mild and infrequent. Therefore, the use of individualised acupuncture in patients with fibromyalgia is recommended. Trial Registration Number ISRCTN60217348.

show abstract

Section: Depressioncontrasting

confidence: 38%

Section: Depressionmentioning

confidence: 66%

Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia in Primary Care: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Vas¹,

Santos-Rey²,

Navarro-Pablo

et al. 2016

Acupunct Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Study results showed a significantly increased benefit with acupuncture in reducing fatigue, pain, and anxiety in fibromyalgia patients. 63 When the patients were surveyed regarding whether they had received true acupuncture, they were unable to discern whether they had received true or sham acupuncture despite the lack of needle penetration. As clinicians, we must judiciously analyze the design of any study, CAM or otherwise, and search for appropriate controls before validating the asserted conclusions.…”

Section: Mechanisms Of Actionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, the idea of blinding is difficult due to the argument that de qi -the threshold stimulus on needle insertion that describes the ''propagation of sensation along channels'' -is required to create neuromodulation and produce a truly effective acupuncture treatment. 63,64 The patient experiences de qi as a soreness or an aching feeling that sometimes radiates in what seems to be the path of a traditional acupuncture meridian. The acupuncturist experiences the feeling of a needle being engaged or ''catching a hook''.…”

Section: Mechanisms Of Actionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complementary and alternative medicine therapies for the anesthesiologist and pain practitioner: a narrative review

Woodbury

Soong

Fishman

et al. 2015

Can J Anesth/J Can Anesth

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Martin calculated he needed a total sample of 50 to identify a 2 point difference in the FIQ scale. 32 An RCT would be feasible in the patients who attend this tertiary referral centre, but would have to be limited to only those who are likely to be able to attend repeatedly. Recruitment of 50 patients would take about two years.…”

Section: Implications For Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acupuncture in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia in Tertiary Care – a Case Series

2007

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Aims Fibromyalgia is a common cause of chronic widespread pain. The benefit of medication is often limited by its side effects, and the improvements obtained with exercise and education are inconsistent. Many patients seek acupuncture treatment, which is reported to be helpful in some cases. This study aimed to explore the acceptability and benefits of acupuncture offered in the setting of a tertiary referral clinic. Methods An open, uncontrolled observational study was conducted among patients who met the usual fibromyalgia criteria and who had a pain score of at least 30 on a 100mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Patients were allowed to continue other treatments but not to introduce new ones. Acupuncture was given using a Western approach according to a protocol developed by consensus. Patients were offered eight treatments in eight weeks. Outcome measures included VA S of pain intensity and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (range 0 -100), and were taken before and after treatment, and at 14, 20 and 34 weeks from enrolment. Results Twenty four eligible patients were enrolled in a 12 month period. Baseline mean pain VA S score for these 24 patients was 74 (SD 18) and mean Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score 78 (SD 12.4). Only 14 patients completed the course of treatment within about 10 weeks. Compliance was poor in the remaining patients because of difficulty attending clinic, and in two cases because of exacerbation of pain. Completion of outcome measures was variable and therefore the analysis of data is limited. Five patients scored at least 20% reduction in Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score which is a clinically relevant improvement. Two of these scored at least 50% reduction. Conclusion Acupuncture appears to offer symptomatic improvement to some patients with fibromyalgia in a tertiary clinic who have failed to respond to other treatments. In view of its safety, further acupuncture research is justified in this population.

show abstract

Improvement in Fibromyalgia Symptoms With Acupuncture: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Cited by 128 publications

References 12 publications

Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia in Primary Care: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia in Primary Care: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Complementary and alternative medicine therapies for the anesthesiologist and pain practitioner: a narrative review

Acupuncture in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia in Tertiary Care – a Case Series

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About