Research One
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effect of acupuncture on the fatigue degree in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
METHODS:
Seventy CFS patients were equally randomized into control and treatment groups according to the randomized block design. Acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), etc., for patients in the treatment group, and to non-acupoints (2 cm respectively to the abovementioned acupoints) for those in the control group. The treatment was given once every other day, 14 times altogether. The fatigue degree and the therapeutic effect were assessed by Chalder’s fatigue scale (FS). Seventy CFS patients were equally randomized into control and treatment groups according to the randomized block design. Acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), etc., for patients in the treatment group, and to non-acupoints (2 cm respectively to the abovementioned acupoints) for those in the control group. The treatment was given once every other day, 14 times altogether. The fatigue degree and the therapeutic effect were assessed by Chalder’s fatigue scale (FS).
RESULTS:
A total of 64 cases (32/group) were finished in this study. After the treatment, the physical FS (5.0 +/- 2.4 vs 6.8 +/- 1.5), mental FS (1.8 +/-1.8 vs 3.1 +/- 1.5) and the total FS (6.8 +/- 3.8 vs 9.9 +/- 2.5) in treatment group, physical FS (5.0 +/- 2.5 vs 6.4 +/- 1.5) and the total FS (7.5 +/- 3.4 vs 9.6 +/- 2.8) in control group decreased significantly compared with pre-treatment (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). There was no marked change in mental FS (2.5 +/- 11.6 vs 3.2 +/- 11.6) in control group after the treatment (P > 0.05). Comparison between two groups showed no significant differences in the 3 indexes (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION:
Acupuncture can relieve CFS patients’ physical and mental fatigue and the therapeutic effect of acupuncture of acupoints is relatively better than that of non-acupoints in reducing mental fatigue.
Acupuncture treatment for low energy.
Resources
1- [Randomized controlled clinical trials of acupuncture treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome].
[Article in Chinese]
Wang JJ, Song YJ, Wu ZC, Chu XO, Wang QM, Wang XJ, Wei LN, Meng H, Wang XH.
Source
Institute of Acu-moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China. [email protected]
Research Two
Acupuncture In The Management Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome In Adolescents: A Pilot Study Yuan-Chi Lin, MD Helen Ly, BS Aimee B. Bioteau, BS
Results The mean (SD) VAS score for pain was 6.5 (1.9) at the initial evaluation and 5.8 (1.9) after the 6th treatment (P>.50). The functional level was improved from 4.5 (1.4) to 7.0 (1.5) (P<.01). The patients reported that initially, they felt tired and relaxed. They reported falling asleep quicker the 1st night after treatment and feeling more energetic following treatment. All patients were able to return to school after their initial series of 6 acupuncture treatments. There were no reported cases of orthostatic hypotension during the study periods. All the patients and their families were satisfied with the results of the acupuncture treatments. No side effects or complications related to the acupuncture services were reported. Conclusions Though the baseline pain score for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome did not change significantly, the functional level of the patients improved. Patients displayed improvement in energy levels and sleep. The duration of the reported effectiveness of the acupuncture treatments was lengthened as the treatments progressed. Thus, acupuncture can be a useful tool for the management of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Acupuncture Zen in Delray Beach has been treating patients with chronic fatigue for many years.