Impact Of Acupuncture On CFS Under The Guideline Of Qijie Theory

Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a debilitating chronic illness characterized by profound all-encompassing physical and mental fatigue that is not improved by rest. Persons with CFS function at a level of activity substantially lower than that which they were capable of before the onset of illness. In addition to fatigue, the syndrome includes specific accompanying symptoms (unrefreshing sleep, impaired memory and concentration, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, headache, tender lymph nodes, and an increase in symptoms and malaise extending 24 hours after physical or mental activity). Many figures have been put forward estimating the occurrence of CFS in the general population. CFS affects both sexes and can develop in people of all ages and races; however, 60% to 70% of patients with CFS are women, and the disease is most common in persons between the ages of 40 and 59 years. CDC has predicted that CFS can be a great hazard to human-being's health care in the 21st century. There are plenty of literatures and clinical researches suggest that acupuncture has a reliable effect on CFS; however, few of these connect the syndrome with biochemical index. This article is to focus on treating CFS with acupuncture under the guideline of Qijie theory.Objectives: to probe the effectivity of qijie theory guiding the acupuncture treatment on CFS, evaluate the effect by recording the individual symptoms of deficiency of qi and blood, FS-14, testing the basal plasma ACTH and COR before and after the treatment. The clinical trial brought in 60 cases (inpatients and outpatients) of CFS from the 1st Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine and divided them randomly into two groups, treatment group and control group. There is no significantly difference between these two groups in sex, age, CFS course, BMI, etc...Methods: The treatment group was given acupuncture with a prescription of Baihui, Fengfu and Renying. Each treatment last 30 minutes per time, 7 times a week as one course, then the testees took one day for a break and went on with anther one course, totally two courses. During each treatment, the doctor manipulated the needle every 15 minutes to adjust qi flow. The control group was given Shenmai Injection 20ml intravenous everyday for 15 days. Both of the group filled in the chart of FS-14, consulted with the doctor on individual symptoms of deficiency of qi and blood, and were tested their basal plasma ACTH and COR.Result: Both of the groups had improvement on their individual symptoms of deficiency of qi and blood and FS-14(P<0. 05), however, the treatment group had an obvious difference on specific symptoms and FS-14, compared with the control group(P<0. 05). So did the result of ACTH and COR. The ACTH and COR of the treatment group even had an highly obvious difference with those of the control groups(P<0. 01).Conclusion: Acupuncture treatment guided by qijie theory DOES have a satisfying effect on CFS. However, consistent followed-up should be carried on to ensure its long-term effect. ACTH and COR are considered to be connected with the fatigue symptom of CFS, which might become a biochemical index of CFS to help its diagnosis, evaluation and so on. Last but not least, the shift of ACTH and COR may partially reflect the HPA axis playing an inseparable role in the pathological mechanism of CFS.