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[Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis at remission stage treated with acupuncture:a randomized controlled trial]
Chunchen Wang1, Zhigang Chen2, Linpeng Wang1
1Center of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100010, China.
Zhongguo Zhen Jiu = Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion
|December 13, 2017
Summary
Acupuncture significantly improved outcomes for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients in remission. This therapy reduced disability scores and lowered the annual relapse rate compared to shallow needling.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Integrative Medicine
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Managing RRMS during remission is crucial for long-term patient outcomes.
- Acupuncture is a traditional therapy with potential benefits in neurological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the therapeutic effects of acupuncture at specific acupoints versus shallow needling therapy near acupoints in RRMS patients during remission.
- To evaluate the impact on neurological functional deficits and disease recurrence.
Main Methods:
- Forty-two RRMS patients were randomized into an observation group (acupuncture) and a control group (shallow needling).
- Both groups received basic treatment; the observation group received acupuncture based on empirical prescriptions, while the control group received shallow needling without requiring arrival of qi.
- Treatments were administered for 3 months, with follow-up assessments over 2 years, monitoring Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, annual recurrent rates, and recurrent intervals.
Main Results:
- The acupuncture group showed reduced EDSS scores at 3 and 6 months post-treatment, while the control group showed a continuous increase in EDSS scores over 24 months.
- EDSS score differences were significantly lower in the acupuncture group compared to the control group at all follow-up points.
- Both groups experienced reduced annual recurrent rates after treatment, but the acupuncture group demonstrated a significantly lower rate and a longer recurrent interval.
Conclusions:
- Acupuncture demonstrates significant therapeutic effects for RRMS patients in the remission stage.
- This therapy effectively alleviates symptoms of neural functional deficits.
- Acupuncture delays disease recurrence and reduces the annual relapse rate in RRMS patients.
