Mayo Clinic Study: Acupuncture May Improve Fibromyalgia Symptoms

The results of a small randomized, controlled clinical trial suggest that acupuncture may be an effective therapy for people with fibromyalgia.

In the study, which was published in the June issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 50 people who met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia and had tried standard treatments were randomized to receive acupuncture or a control (simulated acupuncture).

Fibromylagia symptoms significantly improved in the acupuncture group compared with the control group. The greatest improvement was seen after one month. Symptoms that improved the most were fatigue and anxiety. Activity level and level of physical functioning did not change however. People who had acupuncture reported minimal adverse effects from the acupuncture.

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Source: Martin David P. et al. "Improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms with acupuncture: results of a randomized controlled trial." Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 81.6 (2006):749-57.

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