Acupuncture Helps Fibromyalgia

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study out of the Mayo Clinic reveals acupuncture can help ease the painful symptoms associated with fibromyalgia (FMS), a chronic musculoskeletal condition characterized by fatigue, stiffness in the joints, and sleep problems.

The study compared outcomes among 25 patients who received active acupuncture and 25 similar patients who received a simulated acupuncture treatment. All the patients were assessed for symptoms using the standard Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) both before receiving the treatment and then again one month and seven months later.

Neither group of patients knew which treatment they were really getting, which the authors note helps to defray the "placebo effect" often seen in studies measuring pain.

On average, FIQ scores in patients who received acupuncture were reduced to 34.8 at the one month follow up, compared to 42.5 in the placebo group. Results were most significant for the symptoms of fatigue and anxiety. The reduction in scores following acupuncture was in addition to reductions seen with standard care for the condition, which basically involves behavioral and educational interventions.

The authors write, "Our study showed that acupuncture reduced the FIQ score by seven points. This benefit was additive to the beneficial effect produced by the Fibromyalgia Treatment Program."

The benefit seen with acupuncture also mirrored benefits derived from treatment with antidepressants, acetaminophen and other drugs.

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SOURCE: Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2006;81:749-757