title: Integrating Acupuncture Within a Wellness Intervention for Women With Multiple Sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This pilot study explored change over time in symptom management, health promotion, and quality of life following exposure to a holistic intervention combining group acupuncture with group sessions about health promotion for women with multiple sclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a pre/post nonexperimental design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen women (average age 54 years) attended eight classes designed to help participants build the skills necessary to improve their health and consequently their overall quality of life. Acupuncture was provided in a group setting either immediately before or after each class.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-reported fatigue, stress, pain, depression, anxiety, and sleep interference decreased significantly, and overall health-promoting behaviors, self-efficacy for health promotion, social functioning, and quality of life increased significantly. In addition, focus groups held with the participants indicated that they responded positively to the combination of acupuncture with an efficacy-building health promotion intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this pilot study add to the growing literature demonstrating that holistic health promotion interventions may have positive benefits for people with multiple sclerosis. Delivering acupuncture to a small group of individuals attending wellness classes appears to be feasible and was generally well received by the study participants.
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas at Austin.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas at Austin.
authors.forename: Alexa K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Stuifbergen
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas at Austin.
authors.forename: Rosa N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Schnyer
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas at Austin.
authors.forename: Janet D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas at Austin.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Henneghan
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005221:Fatigue / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D057566:Self Report; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D013781:Texas
keywords: acupuncture; chronic conditions; fatigue; health promotion/disease prevention; pain and pain management; sleep/sleep disorders; women