title: Acupuncture for symptom management in hemodialysis patients: a prospective, observational pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients undergoing hemodialysis suffer from a variety of complications related to end-stage renal disease. This prospective, observational pilot study aims to determine the feasibility, safety, and possible benefits of acupuncture for symptom management in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four (24) patients undergoing hemodialysis received acupuncture treatment for their symptoms. Manually stimulated, individualized acupuncture treatments were provided twice a week for 6 consecutive weeks on a nondialysis day or on the day of hemodialysis prior to initiating treatment. Symptoms were evaluated using the Measure Your Medical Outcome Profiles 2 questionnaire, and quality of life was measured by Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form (KDQOL-SF(™)) Version 1.3 at baseline, 7 weeks and 11 weeks from baseline. Statistical analysis was conducted on the basis of the intention-to-treat principle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one (21) patients (87%) completed the whole treatment course and follow-up evaluation. Three (3) patients dropped out due to increased fatigue (n = 1), pancreatic and renal transplantation (n = 1), and infections of the arteriovenous fistula used for hemodialysis access (n = 1). Patients experienced a significant improvement of symptoms considered the most bothersome, reporting a decrease of 1.87 and 2.08 points on a 0-6 symptom scale at 7 weeks and 11 weeks, respectively (both p < 0.0001). Some subscales of KDQOL-SF(™) showed significant improvement at 7 weeks (effects of kidney disease, burden of kidney disease, role-limitations physical, emotional well-being, and energy/fatigue) and 11 weeks (physical functioning and energy/fatigue). No serious adverse events related to acupuncture occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acupuncture seems feasible and safe for symptom management in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Future controlled trials are needed to confirm the benefits of acupuncture.
authors: Acupuncture, Moxibustion & Meridian Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors: Kun Hyung
authors: KH
authors: Kim
authors: Tae-Hun
authors: TH
authors: Kim
authors: Jung Won
authors: JW
authors: Kang
authors: Jae-Uk
authors: JU
authors: Sul
authors: Myeong Soo
authors: MS
authors: Lee
authors: Jong-In
authors: JI
authors: Kim
authors: Mi Suk
authors: MS
authors: Shin
authors: So Young
authors: SY
authors: Jung
authors: Ae Ran
authors: AR
authors: Kim
authors: Kyung Won
authors: KW
authors: Kang
authors: Sun Mi
authors: SM
authors: Choi
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis