Acupuncture improves peripheral perfusion in patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pain Management
• Medical Acupuncture

Background:

• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (algodystrophy) is a chronic pain condition.
• Patients with stage II algodystrophy report warmth sensation during acupuncture.
• The physiological effects of acupuncture on blood flow in algodystrophy are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of acupuncture on blood volume flow in patients with stage II algodystrophy.
• To correlate changes in blood volume flow with clinical assessments of pain and function.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 10 patients with stage II algodystrophy and 10 healthy controls.
• Blood volume flow was measured using duplex sonography before, during, and after acupuncture.
• Clinical assessments of pain and function were recorded.

Main Results:

• Acupuncture significantly increased blood volume flow in the affected limbs of algodystrophy patients compared to their unaffected limbs and controls.
• The increase in blood volume flow during acupuncture was +31.1% (p=0.024) in affected limbs versus contralateral limbs.
• Subjective improvement in function, but not pain, positively correlated with the increase in blood volume flow.

Conclusions:

• Acupuncture demonstrably increases blood volume flow in the affected limbs of patients with stage II algodystrophy.
• The observed increase in blood flow is linked to functional improvements experienced by patients.
• Acupuncture may be a beneficial therapeutic modality for managing stage II algodystrophy by enhancing circulation and function.