doesn't adequately measure PEM. Without biomarkers for ME and CFS it
is difficult to objectively measure treatment efficacy as well as
diagnostic accuracy. Self-report in studies may have validity
problems. The 20-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-20) was developed
for the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS), a multi-year study of patients
with chronic conditions. It is a generic measure, as opposed to one
that targets a specific age, disease, or treatment group.
(http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/www/external/health/surveys_tools/mos/mos_core_20item_survey.pdf).
Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2011 Dec;36(6):437-41, 448.
[Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture of Back-shu
acupoints for chronic fatigue syndrome patients].
[Article in Chinese]
Zhang W, Liu ZS, Xu HR, Liu YS.
Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,
Beijing 100053, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the therapeutic effect and safety of acupuncture of
Back-shu points [Xinshu (BL 15), Pishu (BL 20), etc.] in the treatment
of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
METHODS:
A total of 120 CFS patients were equally randomized Into acupuncture
and control groups. Acupuncture needles were inserted into bilateral
Xinshu (BL 15), Pishu (BL 20), and Gaohuang (BL 43) points, once daily
for 4 weeks except weekends. For patients of the control group,
acupuncture needles were inserted into the shallow layer of the
non-acupoints (two mid-points of the horizon lines passing through the
crossing-points of the 1st and 2nd branches of the Gallbladder
Meridian and the crests of 4th, 5th and 11th thoracic vertebrae).
General health scale (SF-20) and Chalder fatigue scale were used to
measure the CFS patients' degree of general health. A follow-up survey
was carried out 3 months after the last treatment.
RESULTS:
In comparison with pre-treatment, the scores of Chalder fatigue scale
were decreased significantly in both treatment and control groups (P <
0.01), while the scores of physiological function (PF) and general
health (GH) of SF-20 in both acupuncture groups and those of the role
function (RF), social function (SF), mental health (MH) and pain
sensation (PS) in the treatment group were increased apparently after
the treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).
The scores of Chalder Scale and PF, RF, SF, GH, MH, PS and the CFS
patients' satisfication degrees 4 weeks (64.4% and 36.7%) and 3 months
(62.3% and 32%) after the treatment in the treatment group were
significantly superior to those of the control group (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION:
Acupuncture at Back-shu point has a good therapeutic effect (including
immediate and midterm effect) in the treatment of chronic fatigue
syndrome patients.
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