Effect of acupuncture on pain, sleep and quality of life improvement in fibromyalgia patients: preliminary study

Abstract

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome defined by chronic widespread pain and sensitivity to pressure at at least 11 of 18 tender points. The aim of this random blind clinical trial was to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture on pain relief, on quality of sleep and life in fibromyalgia patients. From 20 female fibromyalgic patients (diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology), mean aged 44 years, 12 completed the study, randomly assigned into two groups: group A (GA, n=5) received acupuncture according to the traditional Chinese medicine; and group B (GB, n=7) received acupuncture at eight tender points: at the occiput, trapezius muscle, supraspinatus muscle, and lateral epicondyle. Pain was assessed by a visual analogue scale and by dolorimetry; quality of life, by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ); and sleep, by the Post Sleep Inventory. Both groups received acupuncture once a week for eight weeks, with insertion of eight needles for 25 minutes. Data were statistically analysed and significance level set at ±=0.05. Results show significant sleep improvement in GA; and, in GB, lesser pain as detected by VAS, higher pain threshold on tender points, better sleep and improvement in FIQ items pain, morning tiredness, anxiety, and depression (p<0.05). These data suggest that acupuncture, especially that with tender point needle insertion, provides pain relief, better quality of life and of sleep in fibromyalgic patients.