title: Acupuncture in the treatment of posttraumatic pain syndrome.
abstract: To test the hypothesis that classical Chinese acupuncture provides an additional benefit subjectively as well as objectively in patients suffering from reflex sympathetic dystrophy, a double-blind, placebo-controlled prospective trial was performed. Fourteen patients suffering clinically and scintigraphically from acute CRPS of the upper limb lasting of more than one but less than 6 months were studied. Patients were randomly assigned to either the classical acupuncture (group A) or sham acupuncture (group S), which was applied five times a week for three weeks and required 30 minutes. Both groups received the same defined standard treatment. The current state of pain was assessed by means of a visual analogue scale. Subjective success of treatment was rated by the patients by means of a rating scale. Each patient underwent a clinical examination and was investigated by 5-phase bone scan in order to confirm the diagnosis. The current state of pain as well as clinical parameters were almost identical in patients of group A and of group S at the beginning. During therapy clinical parameters as well as pain improved in both groups and reached nearly normal levels after 6 months. Owing to the small number of patients in our study, no differences between sham and treatment group could be recognized. For a definitive statement the treatment of further patients in both groups is planned. Determinations of the effect of acupuncture on clinical parameters, based on long-term follow-ups are projected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Korpan
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dezu
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leitha
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fialka-Moser
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001132:Arm; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010919:Placebos; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos