Electroacupuncture in fibromyalgia: results of a controlled trial
Item
Title
Electroacupuncture in fibromyalgia: results of a controlled trial
Author(s)
Journal Publication
Date
1992
volume
305(6864)
pages
1249-1252
Research Type
RCT
Keywords
Abstract
OBJECTIVE--To determine the efficacy of electroacupuncture in patients with fibromyalgia, a syndrome of unknown origin causing diffuse musculoskeletal pain. DESIGN--Three weeks' randomised study with blinded patients and evaluating physician. SETTING--University divisions of physical medicine and rehabilitation and rheumatology, Geneva. PATIENTS--70 patients (54 women) referred to the division for fibromyalgia as defined by the American College of Rheumatology. INTERVENTIONS--Patients were randomised to electroacupuncture (n = 36) or a sham procedure (n = 34) by means of an electronic numbers generator. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Pain threshold, number of analgesic tablets used, regional pain score, pain recorded on visual analogue scale, sleep quality, morning stiffness, and patient's and evaluating physician's appreciation. RESULTS--Seven of the eight outcome parameters showed a significant improvement in the active treatment group whereas none were improved in the sham treatment group. Differences between the groups were significant for five of the eight outcome measures after treatment. CONCLUSIONS--Electroacupuncture is effective in relieving symptoms of fibromyalgia. Its potential in long term management should now be studied
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has health condition studied
Nervous System Diseases
plan
>1/WK
has study population number
70
has duration
3 Weeks