[Randomized controlled study on influence of acupuncture for life quality of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
To observe effects of acupuncture on quality of life of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).


METHODS
Randomized, controlled and single-blinded study method was used, 70 cases were divided into an observation group and a control group, 35 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36), etc.; the control group was treated with acupuncture at non-meridian points (2 cm to the acupoints), thrice a week. The treatment was given for 14 times. The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) scale was used to evaluate the patients' quality of life before and after treatment.


RESULTS
The physiological field, individuals own perception of his health condition and total score were significantly improved after treatment in the observation group (all P<0.05); there were no obvious changes in the psychology, social relationships, environment and subjective feelings about the quality of life (all P>0.05). The score of the environmental field in the control group was significantly decreased compared to that before treatment (P<0.05), and there were no significant changes in the other scores. There were no adverse effects in patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Acupuncture can improve the quality of life of CFS patients, especially in physiological field and the individual perception to his well being. Acupuncture has high safety, and the acupoints has high specific degree than non-meridian points.
Wang
Jing-jing
JJ
Hospital of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China. wjj751@sina.com
Song
Yu-jing
YJ
Wu
Zhong-chao
ZC
Chu
Xiao-ou
XO
Wang
Qiao-mei
QM
Wei
Li-na
LN
Wang
Xiao-jie
XJ
Meng
Hong
H
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D055815:Young Adult