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ACUPUNCTURE IMPROVES FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS Improvement in Fibromyalgia Symptoms With Acupuncture:
Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial
DAVID P. MARTIN, MD, PHD; CHRISTOPHER D. SLETTEN, PHD; BRENT A. WILLIAMS, MS; OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that acupuncture improves conditions. More than 90% of patients with fibromyalgia have tried complementary techniques, including dietary PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective, partially and herbal supplements, indicating their openness to blinded, controlled, randomized clinical trial of patients receivingtrue acupuncture compared with a control group of patients who complementary medicine and/or inadequate response to received simulated acupuncture. All patients met American Col- allopathic therapies.3 The National Institutes of Health has lege of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia and had tried con- issued a consensus statement that concludes that acupunc- servative symptomatic treatments other than acupuncture. Wemeasured symptoms with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire ture may be of adjunctive help in the treatment of (FIQ) and the Multidimensional Pain Inventory at baseline, imme- fibromyalgia, although a lack of controlled studies weak- diately after treatment, and at 1 month and 7 months after treatment. The trial was conducted from May 28, 2002, to August18, 2003.
Of the many trials of acupuncture for fibromyalgia, only 2 were randomized and controlled.5 The first, by Deluze et RESULTS: Fifty patients participated in the study: 25 in the acu-puncture group and 25 in the control group. Total fibromyalgia al,6 concluded that acupuncture was effective therapy. The symptoms, as measured by the FIQ, were significantly improved in second, more recent study by Assefi et al7 concluded that the acupuncture group compared with the control group during acupuncture was not effective for fibromyalgia. Hence, the study period (P=.01). The largest difference in mean FIQ totalscores was observed at 1 month (42.2 vs 34.8 in the control and further research is required to define the possible role of acupuncture groups, respectively; P=.007). Fatigue and anxiety acupuncture in the treatment of fibromyalgia.
were the most significantly improved symptoms during the follow- The current study was designed to test the hypothesis up period. However, activity and physical function levels did notchange. Acupuncture was well tolerated, with minimal adverse that acupuncture improves symptoms of fibromyalgia with validated syndrome-specific measurement tools CONCLUSION: This study paradigm allows for controlled and and long-term follow-up. Also, we sought to test the blinded clinical trials of acupuncture. We found that acupuncture feasibility of conducting prospective, randomized studies significantly improved symptoms of fibromyalgia. Symptomatic of acupuncture with a control group exposed to simulated improvement was not restricted to pain relief and was mostsignificant for fatigue and anxiety.
FIQ = Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire; MPI = Multidimensional PainInventory The protocol was approved by the Mayo Foundation Insti-tutional Review Board, and written consent was obtainedfrom all participants before treatment. Our study popula- Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic widespread tion was recruited from patients who were referred to the musculoskeletal pain and associated symptoms, such Mayo Fibromyalgia Treatment Program in Rochester, as fatigue, joint stiffness, and sleep disturbance.1 The disor- Minn, by their physician, usually after a trial of conserva- der is thought to represent an alteration in pain threshold or tive management. This program includes confirmation of sensory processing at the level of the spinal cord or highercortical levels. No cure is known, and available treatments From the Department of Anesthesiology (D.P.M., I.H.B.) and Department of are only partially effective. Fibromyalgia affects 2% of the Health Sciences Research (B.A.W.), Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Roches-ter, Minn; and Division of Psychology and Department of Pain Medicine, Mayo general population: 3.4% women and 0.5% men.2 The Clinic College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Fla (C.D.S.). Dr Berger is now with the prevalence of women with the condition increases with age Medical College of Georgia, Augusta.
and is greater than 7% in women older than 60 years.
This work was supported by Mayo Foundation and the Mayo Anesthesia Fibromyalgia is also perceived by many to be a disabling Clinical Research Unit. Dr Martin is supported in part by a Research StarterGrant from the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research.
condition. Although it is not a progressive or degenerative Address reprint requests and correspondence to David P. Martin, MD, PhD, disease process, it can severely affect quality of life.
Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First St Acupuncture is a complementary medical technique SW, Rochester, MN 55905 (e-mail: martin.david@mayo.edu).
used for the treatment of painful disorders, among other 2006 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Mayo Clin Proc. • June 2006;81(6):749-757 • www.mayoclinicproceedings.com For personal use. Mass reproduce only with permission from Mayo Clinic Pr ACUPUNCTURE IMPROVES FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS the diagnosis of fibromyalgia by a rheumatologist and 1.5 issues and not all participants had significant others. The days of education, counseling, and group discussion about MPI has proven reliability and validity for both chronic symptom management. At the conclusion of this program, patients were given an additional informational presenta- Patients were required to wait at least 4 weeks after tion about the current study and were invited to participate.
completing the Fibromyalgia Treatment Program before To determine the sample size, we estimated that acupunc- beginning study treatments. We conducted FIQ and MPI ture would yield at least a 2-point reduction in the measurements at baseline before treatment began, immedi- Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). On the basis of ately after completion of all treatments, and 1 month and 7 previous studies using the FIQ, 25 patients were required in months after completion of treatment.
each group. The trial was conducted from May 28, 2002, toAugust 18, 2003.
Patients were excluded if they had prior experience with After a 4-week period to adopt principles learned in the acupuncture or a bleeding diathesis. They were required to Fibromyalgia Treatment Program, patients completed have sufficient cognitive ability to read the consent form baseline FIQ and MPI measurements. Patients were ran- and to complete the survey instruments. Patients had to be domized immediately before the first treatment session to within a geographic range that allowed for participation in either the acupuncture or control group. Randomization 6 treatment sessions during a 2- to 3-week period. No was done in blocks of 4 to prevent imbalances in treatment monetary compensation was provided, but parking ex- allocation. There was no crossover between groups, and patients were scheduled to avoid any overlap during whichthey could compare experiences. Patients received treat- ments every 2 to 4 days during 2 to 3 weeks for a total of 6 The FIQ is a standardized and validated tool that is com- sessions. All treatments were performed at 1 facility by 2 monly used in fibromyalgia research.8 The FIQ is a 20-item questionnaire used to assess the current health status ofpatients with fibromyalgia. Specifically, it evaluates physi- cal functioning, work status, depression, anxiety, sleep, Patients in the acupuncture group were positioned in the pain, stiffness, fatigue, and well-being, each on a 0- to 10- sitting position with a screen placed so that they could not point scale. Individual item scores, not including the scores observe placement of the treatments yet were allowed eye that deal with work status, are combined into a total fibro- contact with the acupuncturist (Figure 1). Acupuncture myalgia impact score that ranges from 0 to 80. Higher points were standardized for all patients and not modified scores indicate a patient is more adversely affected by for the specific symptoms of the patient. We picked strong fibromyalgia. The FIQ has proven construct validity, test- regulatory points that commonly recur in the acupuncture retest reliability, and content relevance and is a widely literature. Specifically, we used bilateral points at large recommended tool to use in fibromyalgia research.8 intestine 4, stomach 36, liver 2, spleen 6, pericardium 6, We also used the Multidisciplinary Pain Inventory and heart 7. We also used axial paramedian points along the (MPI), a more generalized measure of chronic pain and its bladder meridian at the cervical spine during the first 3 impact.9 The MPI is a 61-item questionnaire developed to sessions and at the lumbar spine during the last 3 sessions.
evaluate patients with chronic pain. It is composed of 13 Figure 2 illustrates the acupuncture points, totaling 18 scales that measure different pain-related aspects of pa- needles during the first 3 sessions and 20 needles during the tients’ lives. Five of these scales were chosen as useful outcome measures for this study: pain severity, interfer- At each point, the skin was wiped with alcohol, and an ence (patients’ perceptions about how pain interferes with adhesive bandage was placed over the point. The needle their daily lives), life control (patients’ perceptions about was inserted through the bandage to the acupuncture point.
control over pain and life events), affective distress (mood, The sensation of de Qi or “needle grab” was not specifi- irritability, tension), and general activity level (composite cally elicited. Electrical stimulation was applied at 2 Hz activity score based on 4 other MPI scales that were not between large intestine 4 and stomach 36, bilaterally, and at used: household chores, outdoor work, activities away 10 Hz over the axial circuits. All stimulator wires were from home, and social activities). The 5 scales represent taped to skin to avoid moving the needles. The pulse gen- areas that the Mayo Fibromyalgia Treatment Program at- erator (IC-1107+, ITO Co Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) produced tempts to improve. The 4 other scales not used involved short, bipolar current spikes at an amplitude typically toler- support from a spouse or significant other. We excluded able to most patients. Patients were asked, “Is the stimula- these scales because our program does not address these tion uncomfortable?” If it was uncomfortable, the current Mayo Clin Proc. • June 2006;81(6):749-757 • www.mayoclinicproceedings.com For personal use. Mass reproduce only with permission from Mayo Clinic Proceedings. ACUPUNCTURE IMPROVES FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS was reduced appropriately. After placement of all needlesand initiation of electrical stimulation, patients were al-lowed to rest quietly in a darkened room while relaxingmusic played in the background for 20 minutes.
CONTROL GROUPPatients in the control group were positioned identically topatients in the acupuncture group so that they could notobserve the treatments. Identical points were used. Eachpoint was wiped with alcohol, the skin was indented with adull surgical instrument, and a small circular adhesive ban-dage was applied that had previously been rigged with anacupuncture needle such that the needle handle stuck out ofthe bandage but did not pierce the skin. Instead, the needlewas bent to form a tripod so that it was supported on theskin surface and appeared as if it were anchored within theskin. Patients in the control group felt the wipe with alco-hol, a mild pricking sensation, and placement of an adhe-sive bandage (Figure 3). All the while they were not able tosee the procedure.
Electrical stimulation was applied to the same points as the acupuncture group. Even though the lights flashed onthe pulse generator, the resistance of the skin prevented anyperceptible current flow. Just as in the acupuncture group,patients were asked, “Is the stimulation uncomfortable?”After placement of the placebo treatment, patients relaxedfor 20 minutes in a darkened room while quiet musicplayed in the background. Once the treatment was com-pleted, both the acupuncture and control groups looked thesame. In preliminary trials, volunteers could not tell the FIGURE 1. Experimental setup. Patients were seated with a tray and difference between the 2 procedures.
blanket placed as a headrest such that their view of the treatmentwas obscured. Both acupuncture and control treatments looked identical. Some acupuncture needles were attached to an electricalstimulator, whereas others were not. For clarity, not all acupuncture Conversation was controlled and neutral in both groups.
points are shown in this illustration.
During placement of the treatment, neutral conversationwas used (family, sports, the weather, and so on). Anyreference to specific treatment or symptoms was de- plete all 6 sessions, they still remained in their respective flected or referred to the blinded study coordinator. At the groups for follow-up measurements of pain and quality of end of the treatments, all materials were removed from life. Data were analyzed based on the intention-to-treat the room so patients could not observe the needles or Figure 4 shows the sequence of events for each patient in the study. Patients were enrolled after they completed the Fibromyalgia Treatment Program. Randomization oc- On completion of the treatment sessions, patients filled curred at least 4 weeks later, when the baseline assess- out 3 additional FIQ and MPI surveys. This was done by ment was made. Then patients received 6 treatments for 2 mail at the end of the treatments and at 1 month and 7 to 3 weeks. Assessments were made immediately after months after the end of the treatments. All evaluations completion of the treatments and at 1 month and 7 months were obtained by the study coordinator, who was blinded to the group assignment. If patients had concerns about The primary end point was the FIQ total score, mea- adverse effects or needed to consult with a physician for sured as the sum of the 8 FIQ subscales (each on a 0- to 10- any other reason, they were referred to a clinician not point scale). The primary analysis involved comparing the associated with the study. If patients were unable to com- FIQ total score between the acupuncture and control group Mayo Clin Proc. • June 2006;81(6):749-757 • www.mayoclinicproceedings.com For personal use. Mass reproduce only with permission from Mayo Clinic Pr ACUPUNCTURE IMPROVES FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS ing treatment effects at individual time points usinganalysis of covariance complemented this analysis. Sec-ondary analyses involved analyzing the FIQ and MPIsubscales individually using similar techniques as de-scribed herein.
Figure 5 illustrates patient enrollment and allotment tostudy groups. Sixty patients were enrolled in the study oncompletion of the Fibromyalgia Treatment Program. Tenof these patients withdrew from the study during the 4-week period of stabilization before treatments started andbefore randomization. Eight of those patients had difficultyin scheduling the 6 treatment sessions. One patient hadreceived acupuncture in the past but had forgotten thisduring the initial screening process. The final patientelected to withdraw because of apprehension about needlesand a history of vasovagal syncope. Therefore, 50 patients FIGURE 2. Acupuncture points. Needles were placed at the large completed the baseline assessment and were randomly al- intestine 4 (LI-4), stomach 36 (ST-36), liver 2 (LR-2), spleen 6 (SP-6), pericardium 6 (P-6), and heart 7 (HT-7). Electrical stimulation located to the acupuncture and control groups. There were was provided between LI-4 and ST-36 at 2 Hz. Axial points were no significant differences between the groups with respect placed along the bladder meridian and stimulated at 10 Hz. The to age, sex, or race. All patients were women except for 1 cervical axial circuit was used only during the first 3 sessions, andthe lumbar axial circuit was used only during the last 3 sessions.
(in the control group), even though the study was equallyopen to both men and women. All patients were white over time using a repeated-measures analysis of variance except for 1 (in the acupuncture group), reflecting the racial model. An overall treatment effect was estimated after composition of the geographic area where the study was adjusting for time and baseline FIQ total score. Examin- conducted. The mean ± SD age of the patients was FIGURE 3. Comparison of acupuncture and control needle configurations. In the acupuncturegroup, the skin is wiped with alcohol, a sterile bandage is applied, and the needle is insertedthrough the bandage to the acupuncture point. In the control group, the skin is wiped withalcohol, the skin is briefly “poked” but not cut, and then a bandage is affixed that contains amodified acupuncture needle that looks identical to the acupuncture treatment.
Mayo Clin Proc. • June 2006;81(6):749-757 • www.mayoclinicproceedings.com For personal use. Mass reproduce only with permission from Mayo Clinic Proceedings. ACUPUNCTURE IMPROVES FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS FIGURE 4. Timeline for each patient. At least 4 weeks elapsed between enrollment and baselineassessment. Patients were then randomized to receive 6 acupuncture or 6 control treatments duringa 2- to 3-week period. Assessments (indicated by asterisks) were made at baseline, treatmentcompletion (0 months), and 1 and 7 months after treatment.
51.7±14.1 years for the control group and 47.9±11.2 years group did not complete any questionnaires after conclu- for the acupuncture group (P=.30).
sion of the treatment sessions and was considered lost to All patients completed at least 5 treatment sessions.
Two patients in the acupuncture group and 1 in the control The treatments were tolerated well by the patients, and group were not able to complete the last session because most reported enjoying the experience. Many of the patients of scheduling conflicts. They remained in their respective in both groups reported feeling tired and/or relaxed after the groups for data collection and analysis, as required by the treatments. Mild bruising and soreness were more common intention-to-treat principle. The number of questionnaires in the acupuncture group. Two patients experienced mild returned was 100% at baseline and 96% to 98% through vasovagal symptoms, which were managed conservatively.
the remainder of the study. One patient in the control One patient (in the control group) experienced a pulmonary Mayo Clin Proc. • June 2006;81(6):749-757 • www.mayoclinicproceedings.com For personal use. Mass reproduce only with permission from Mayo Clinic Pr ACUPUNCTURE IMPROVES FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS TABLE 1. Analysis of Variance for the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)* *Acupuncture-control mean estimate is derived from a repeated-measures analysis of variance model. This value is the mean expected difference between active and placebo with respect tothe particular FIQ subscale, adjusted for time (days since baseline measurement) and baselinesubscale value. Negative values for this estimate indicate that values for the active arm arelower than the placebo arm. Positive values indicate that values for the active arm are higher.
The P values test whether the group effect is significantly different from 0. P<.05 suggests adifference between treatment groups with respect to the particular FIQ subscale. CI = confi-dence interval.
embolism. She had had a history of thromboembolic prob- superior to the control group (P=.01). Subscale analysis lems, and her complication was believed to be unrelated to revealed significant group effects for symptoms of fatigue and anxiety. The remainder of the subscales also showed At the conclusion of the treatments, patients were asked trends toward improvement of symptoms, although they their opinion regarding group assignment. Approximately were not statistically significant individually. Repeated- half of the patients in each group reported that they did not measures analysis of the MPI data is presented in Table 2.
know their assignment (13 [52%] in the control group and 10 The group effect showed significant improvement in pain [40%] in the acupuncture group). Of the 12 in the control (P=.03) up to 1 month after treatment, but the effect was group who had an opinion, 7 (58%) were correct and 5 (42%) not statistically significant when the 7-month data were were incorrect. Of the 15 in the acupuncture group who had an opinion, only 5 (33%) were correct and 10 (67%) were Figure 6 shows the difference in FIQ score between the incorrect. Hence, the ability of the patients to accurately acupuncture and control groups at each time point, with the determine the treatment they received did not exceed chance.
greatest difference at 1 month (P=.007). More detailed Table 1 presents the results of the repeated-measures comparisons of both the FIQ and MPI measurements at analysis of variance for the FIQ. This analysis revealed a each time point are given in Table 3. The total FIQ score in positive group effect of acupuncture that was statistically the acupuncture group was improved 7.4 points over the TABLE 2. Analysis of Variance for the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI)* *Acupuncture-control mean estimate is derived from a repeated-measures analysis of variance model. This value is the mean expected difference between active and placebo with respect to theparticular MPI subscale, adjusted for time (days since baseline measurement) and baseline subscalevalue. Negative values for this estimate indicate that values for the active arm are lower than theplacebo arm. Positive values indicate that values for the active arm are higher. The P values testwhether the group effect is significantly different from 0. P<.05 suggests a difference betweentreatment groups with respect to the particular MPI subscale. CI = confidence interval.
Mayo Clin Proc. • June 2006;81(6):749-757 • www.mayoclinicproceedings.com For personal use. Mass reproduce only with permission from Mayo Clinic Proceedings. ACUPUNCTURE IMPROVES FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS FIGURE 6. Effect of acupuncture and control on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire(FIQ) total score.
control group at 1 month after treatment (P=.007) At this necessary for quality research in acupuncture because the time point, pain severity as measured by the MPI was also control group displayed the expected placebo response that significantly decreased (P=.03). Other symptoms that is typical of pain studies.11 An alternative choice for control showed statistically significant improvement included fa- treatments in studying acupuncture is to place needles at tigue, anxiety, and affective distress. All symptom sub- incorrect or “sham” points. Although it would have been scales showed some improvement, although not all were easier to use this as a control, we agree with others who have argued that needling at sham locations is also likely toprovide neuromodulatory inputs to the sensory nervoussystem. Sham needling may in fact produce physiologic changes indistinguishable from “true” acupuncture points.
In this controlled, randomized, and blinded assessment of We believe that the simulated acupuncture configuration acupuncture, our study patients were unable to determine described herein provides an inexpensive and effective in which group they had participated. Such blinding is method of providing realistic placebo acupuncture treat- TABLE 3. Results of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI)* *Data are presented as mean ± 1 SD from analysis of covariance, adjusted for baseline values.
Mayo Clin Proc. • June 2006;81(6):749-757 • www.mayoclinicproceedings.com For personal use. Mass reproduce only with permission from Mayo Clinic Pr ACUPUNCTURE IMPROVES FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS ments to patients who have not previously experienced were randomized to receive either acupuncture or control acupuncture (35 patients in each group). The control acu- Acupuncture treatments were well tolerated by our pa- puncture arm consisted of needle insertion at points 20 mm tients. Most patients found participation in the study to be away from the experimental points, with decreased inten- pleasant and rewarding. Bruising and soreness were more sity of electrical stimulation. Patients received 6 treatment common in the acupuncture group than in the control sessions and were assessed immediately after the course of group, but these were mild and did not affect treatment.
acupuncture with no long-term follow-up. Intention-to- Acupuncture rarely causes adverse effects that might limit treat analysis showed that patients in the experimental cognition or functional rehabilitation. Vasovagal symp- group improved significantly in all parameters except toms (in both the acupuncture group and the control group) morning stiffness, whereas the controls had no change.
were the most troubling adverse effects for a few of our Pain threshold was improved by 70% in the experimental patients. Placing patients in the supine position would group and 4% in the control group. Unfortunately, this study did not use standardized or validated measures of We found that acupuncture improved symptoms of fibromyalgia symptoms or quality of life. Furthermore, fibromyalgia significantly more than placebo. All symp- there were no long-term follow-up measurements to deter- tom subscales were improved with acupuncture, but only fatigue and anxiety were statistically significant on their Assefi et al7 studied 25 patients in the acupuncture group own. Pain trended closely toward statistical significance in compared with 3 separate control groups, each consisting the FIQ (P=.07) and MPI (P=.05). However, fibromyalgia of 25 patients. Their patients were drawn from “all comers” is a syndrome of symptoms not just pain.
in the community who had fibromyalgia. Our patients were Our patients were homogenous in diagnosis and severity drawn from the Mayo Fibromyalgia Treatment Program, of symptoms. The Fibromyalgia Treatment Program has and thus they may have been more homogenous and possi- been shown to reduce the mean FIQ total score from 51.3 to bly more severely affected. It has been suggested that 44.7.12 The average FIQ total score of our patients at patients at tertiary care centers have more severe disease.
baseline after the Fibromyalgia Treatment Program was Our population may represent patients who have recalci- 42.5, which is close to the expected value. The improve- trant symptoms or are more severely affected than the ment observed in our study was additive to the benefits general population. Many had already used most of the obtained with the Fibromyalgia Treatment Program (ie, basic treatments for fibromyalgia. Although this may be educational and behavioral interventions).
the case, most of our patients were from the local commu- We saw maximum benefit at 1 month (among time nity, so such a referral bias may be less significant. The points we considered), and that benefit was less signifi- study by Assefi et al was performed at several sites by 8 cant at 7 months. Unfortunately, the design of this clinical different acupuncturists. Our study was done at 1 site by 2 trial does not allow a more precise determination of acupuncturists. This may have reduced the variability in acupuncture’s duration. The time course of improvement after acupuncture should be better characterized in future The study by Assefi et al looked primarily at pain. Their quality-of-life measurement, the Medical Outcomes Study Although patients receiving acupuncture reported im- 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, is not designed specifi- proved symptoms, they did not report significantly in- cally for patients with fibromyalgia. We looked at all creased levels of activity or physical functioning. How- symptoms of fibromyalgia with a disease-specific, vali- ever, we neither set this as a goal for our patients nor dated measurement tool, the FIQ. In fact, the FIQ was more encouraged any changes in behavior, even if they men- sensitive in detecting significant differences between tioned symptomatic improvement during the study. Also, the Fibromyalgia Treatment Program had already encour- Our study showed that acupuncture reduced the FIQ aged exercise and activity to these patients, so they may score by 7 points. This benefit was additive to the benefi- have previously adopted these suggestions. Regardless, the cial effect produced by the Fibromyalgia Treatment Pro- lack of functional improvement after reduction of chronic gram, which also produced a mean benefit of 7 points.12 pain is not an observation unique to this study. Symptom The magnitude of clinical benefit produced by acupuncture reduction may be necessary, but not sufficient, for func- is similar to that reported with pharmacological interven- tions such as tricyclic antidepressants13 (7 points), fluox- Two other randomized controlled studies of acupunc- etine14 (8 points), and tramadol and acetaminophen15 (6 ture for fibromyalgia have been published.6,7 Deluze et al6 points). Therefore, the effect of acupuncture is both clini- prospectively studied 70 patients with fibromyalgia who cally and statistically significant.
Mayo Clin Proc. • June 2006;81(6):749-757 • www.mayoclinicproceedings.com For personal use. Mass reproduce only with permission from Mayo Clinic Proceedings. ACUPUNCTURE IMPROVES FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS Our study has certain limitations. Perhaps most signifi- We thank Gregory A. Wilson for study coordination and patient cant is the relatively small size of the study population.
recruitment; Heidi L. Schmitz, Carolyn J. Nereson, Victoria L. Additionally, some will argue that the acupuncture therapy Rud, Donna J. Fritsch, and Evelyn K. Perry for help with patient provided was not optimal with respect to point selection, scheduling and appointment flow; and Yuko F. Voss, BA, Megan elicitation of de Qi, and electrical stimulation. To preserve M. O’Byrne, MA, and Cyndy O. Townsend, PhD, for help withdata analysis. blinding, the design of the study did not allow customizedpoint selection or specific elicitation of the de Qi sensation,sometimes referred to as “needle grab.” Some schools of acupuncture require this sensation as an indication of 1. Buskila D. Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and myofascial pain
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