Acupuncture on back-shu points of five zang for chronic fatigue syndrome: A randomized control trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture on back-shu points of five zang in treating chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). MethodsSixty patients were randomized into treatment group and control group. In treatment group, the back-shu points of five zang organs were adopted for acupuncture. Shènshū (肾俞 BL23) was perpendicularly needled 15–30 mm in depth. The rest of the selected points were inserted obliquely 15–30 mm in the direction of the spine with even method of lifting-thrusting and twisting-twirling, 10 s for each acupoint. In control group, the acupoints were approximately 1.5–2 cm away outward from the back-shu points of five zang organs (about on the middle of the two sidelines of the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang) and the points from the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang were excluded. Acupoints were needled 6–9 mm in depth, and deqi was not required, without any manipulation. The treatments were carried out twice a week for twenty minutes each time, a total of eight treatments were given. The clinical efficacy of acupuncture treatment for CFS was evaluated through the Fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14) and the Symptom Check-List 90 (SCL-90) after treatment. ResultsThe total effective rate was 86.67% in the treatment group and 53.33% in the control group (P < 0.01). In treatment group, FS-14 total scores, somatic fatigue scores, and mental fatigue scores were significantly reduced than before treatment (all P < 0.01). In control group, FS-14 total scores and somatic fatigue scores were significantly reduced (both P < 0.01). The improvement of FS-14 total scores, somatic fatigue scores, and mental fatigue scores in the treatment group were better than those in the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). After treatment, SCL-90 total scores and somatization, compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, psychoticism, and other factors scores were significantly reduced in the treatment group compared with before treatment (P < 0.01). In control group, the SCL-90 total scores and the scores of somatization, compulsion, hostility, and other factors after treatment were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.01). The total scores of SCL-90 and somatization, compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, psychoticism, and other factors in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). ConclusionsAcupuncture on back-shu points of five zang can significantly improve the somatic fatigue and mental fatigue of the patients, and at the same time improve their psychological status. Significant therapeutic effect was found on CFS. Compared with the control group, the acupuncture treatment can significantly improve the patient's somatic fatigue, mental fatigue and psychological status.