RESEARCH - Acupuncture for symptom managment of RA: a pilot study

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Clin Rheumatol. 2008 Jan 10 [Epub ahead of print]

Acupuncture for symptom management of rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study.

Lee H, Lee JY, Kim YJ, Kim S, Yin C, Khil JH, Kwon K, Choi SM, Lee H, Park HJ.

College of Korean Medicine, Sangji University, Wonju, Korea.

We investigated the feasibility of a future acupuncture trial in the

symptom management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Twenty-five patients

meeting the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were

recruited and given 14 sessions of individualised acupuncture

treatment for 6 weeks. Improvement in symptoms was assessed using ACR

20, 50 and 70; disease activity score (DAS28); tender joint count;

swollen joint count; morning stiffness and health-related quality of

life using the Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire and the SF-36 at

baseline and after 6 weeks. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was

also assessed. At 6 weeks, 44%, 20%, and 12% of patients achieved ACR

20, 50 and 70 responses, respectively. Acupuncture also produced

statistically significant improvements in DAS28, pain and global

activity, swollen joint count, health-related quality of life (SF-36)

and ESR. No major acupuncture-related adverse events were reported.

Acupuncture treatment as used in this pilot study was safe and

well-tolerated. The use of acupuncture for symptom management in RA

warrants further investigation.

PMID: 18193382

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18193382

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Not an MD