title: Health-related quality of life in patients with musculoskeletal complaints in a general acupuncture practice: an observational study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Musculoskeletal complaints are associated with a large medical and societal burden. Although acupuncture is a frequently used therapy for musculoskeletal complaints, little is known about the effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to (i) compare the HRQoL of patients undergoing routine acupuncture treatment for musculoskeletal complaints with a Dutch population sample; (ii) investigate changes in HRQoL during the course of acupuncture treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational study of 26 patients between 18 and 65 years of age in a single acupuncture practice was performed. HRQoL was measured on eight functional domains using a RAND-36 health survey at baseline and after six and 12 treatment sessions. Baseline RAND-36 scores were compared to data from a Dutch population sample (n=1063) using t test, and longitudinal data were analysed using repeated measurement analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, patients had significantly lower RAND-36 scores compared to the Dutch population sample for three domains: role-physical limitations (51.9 vs 79.4; p<0.001), bodily pain (49.3 vs 79.5; p<0.001) and social functioning (75.5 vs 86.9; p=0.005). During the course of treatment, RAND-36 scores increased significantly for five domains: physical functioning (79.3 vs 97.4; p<0.001), role-physical functioning (51.4 vs 94.1; p<0.001), bodily pain (47.3 vs 95.7, p<0.001), social functioning (74.5 vs 92.0, p<0.001) and vitality (69.1 vs 85.7; p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The observed improvements in HRQoL suggest a subjective, clinically relevant, benefit of routine acupuncture therapy in treating musculoskeletal complaints.
authors.affiliation: Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. ineke.vandenberg@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Ineke
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: van den Berg
authors.forename: Loek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van Brero
authors.forename: K Tinka
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: A Cecile J W
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Janssens
authors.forename: M G Myriam
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hunink
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D009426:Netherlands; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult