title: Acupuncture for symptom management of rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study.
abstract: We investigated the feasibility of a future acupuncture trial in the symptom management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Twenty-five patients meeting the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were recruited and given 14 sessions of individualised acupuncture treatment for 6 weeks. Improvement in symptoms was assessed using ACR 20, 50 and 70; disease activity score (DAS28); tender joint count; swollen joint count; morning stiffness and health-related quality of life using the Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire and the SF-36 at baseline and after 6 weeks. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was also assessed. At 6 weeks, 44%, 20%, and 12% of patients achieved ACR 20, 50 and 70 responses, respectively. Acupuncture also produced statistically significant improvements in DAS28, pain and global activity, swollen joint count, health-related quality of life (SF-36) and ESR. No major acupuncture-related adverse events were reported. Acupuncture treatment as used in this pilot study was safe and well-tolerated. The use of acupuncture for symptom management in RA warrants further investigation.
authors.affiliation: College of Korean Medicine, Sangji University, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyangsook
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ji-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yun-Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sehyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Changshik
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Jae-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Khil
authors.forename: Kirok
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Sun-Mi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Hyejung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hi-Joon
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome