RESEARCH ARTICLE

Efficacy of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

The Open Rheumatology Journal 16 June 2009 RESEARCH ARTICLE DOI: 10.2174/1874312900903010025

Abstract

Objective:

The study sought to ascertain the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for fibromyalgia

Materials and Methods:

The following electronic databases were searched: PubMed; The Cochrane Library (CENTRAL); EMBASE; CINAHL; and Pascal Biomed (last date of search: January 2008). We analyzed pain intensity and patient withdrawals prior to termination of the study. A meta-analysis was performed, and a weighted global effect obtained using the inverse of variance.

Results:

This review covered a total of 6 studies (323 subjects). No statistically significant differences were observed in terms of pain intensity (VAS): 0.02 (-0.24 a 0.28) or withdrawals: RR 0.91 (0.53 a 1.58)

Conclusion:

This systematic review found no evidence of benefit resulting from acupuncture versus placebo, as a treatment for fibromyalgia.

Keywords: Acupuncture, fibromyalgia, systematic review, meta-analysis..
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