title: Randomized, Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for Fatigue in Parkinson's Disease.
abstract: Fatigue is a common and debilitating nonmotor symptom of PD. Because preliminary evidence suggests that acupuncture improves fatigue in other conditions, we sought to test its efficacy in PD.
  
  
  
  Ninety-four PD patients with moderate-to-high fatigue were randomized to receive 6 weeks of biweekly real or sham acupuncture. The primary outcome was change on the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale at 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes included sleep, mood, quality of life, and maintenance of benefits at 12 weeks.
  
  
  
  Both groups showed significant improvements in fatigue at 6 and 12 weeks, but with no significant between-group differences. Improvements from baseline in mood, sleep, and quality of life were noted without between-group differences. Overall, 63% of patients reported noticeable improvements in their fatigue. No serious adverse events were observed.
  
  
  
  Acupuncture may improve PD-related fatigue, but real acupuncture offers no greater benefit than sham treatments. PD-related fatigue should be added to the growing list of conditions that acupuncture helps primarily through nonspecific or placebo effects. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Neurology and Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Benzi M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Kluger
authors.affiliation: Departments of Neurology and Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Dylan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rakowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Christian
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Daisy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cedar
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Ban
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uveges
authors.affiliation: Departments of Neurology and Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berk
authors.affiliation: Departments of Neurology and Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Etta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Abaca
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Corbin
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garvan
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications*
keywords: Parkinson's disease; acupuncture; fatigue; randomized, controlled trial