The effects of acupuncture versus sham acupuncture in the treatment of fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled clinical trial


Ugurlu F. G., Sezer N., Aktekin L., Fidan F., Tok F., Akkus S.

Acta Reumatologica Portuguesa, cilt.2017, sa.1, ss.32-37, 2017 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 2017 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2017
  • Dergi Adı: Acta Reumatologica Portuguesa
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.32-37
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Acupuncture, Fibromyalgia, Sham acupuncture
  • Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

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 Visual Analogic Scale (VAS), at night, at rest and 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.