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Updated: Aug 12, 2025
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Published on: April 12, 2024
Effectiveness of acupuncture for fatigue in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a randomized
Faezeh Khodaie1,2, Abdorreza Naser Moghadasi2, Amir Hooman Kazemi3
1School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Background:
Fatigue is experienced by more than 65% of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Some studies have supported the effectiveness of acupuncture in improving the symptoms of MS.
Objective:
The present research was intended to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture plus amantadine compared with amantadine alone on fatigue in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) in the remission stage of the disease.
Methods:
In this randomized controlled trial, 60 participants with RRMS suffering from fatigue were recruited and randomized equally to acupuncture (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. The acupuncture group received treatment 2 to 3 times per week for 10 sessions over 4 weeks. Both the acupuncture and control groups received amantadine 100 mg daily and routine treatment with immuno-modulators. The primary outcome was the fatigue severity scale (FSS) score, which was evaluated at baseline, and after 2 and 4 weeks. The secondary outcome was the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life 54 (MSQOL-54) questionnaire score, measured at baseline and the end of the 4-week treatment period.
Results:
The severity of fatigue was reduced in both groups. However, after 4 weeks of treatment, the reduction of fatigue in the acupuncture group was more significant than in the control group (P < 0.01, mean difference (MD) = -1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.83 to -0.45). Quality of life, including mental and physical status, was significantly improved in the acupuncture group compared with the control group (P < 0.05, MD = 9.09, 95% CI: 0.46 to 17.73). No adverse events occurred in any of the participants.
Conclusions:
Acupuncture combined with amantadine and routine care compared with amantadine and routine care alone appears to be an effective short-term treatment for reducing fatigue and enhancing quality of life, including physical function and mental status, in patients with RRMS.
