| Objective:This clinical research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture on the back-shu acupoints of five zang-organs for chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS).We have observed and evaluated the clinical efficacy before and after treatment,the improvement of the fatigue scale-14(FS-14),and the symptom check-list 90(SCL-90).Our clinical result can be used for the popularization of acupoint application on CFS.Methods:This study is divided into acupuncture treatment group and non-point shallow prick control group,30 cases in each group.1.Acupuncture treatment group:The acupoints selected for the treatment group were back-shu acupoints of five zang organs(both sides).Shen shu was directly stabbed 0.5 to 1 inch underneath the skin.The rest of the selected acupoints were tilted 0.5 to 1 inch in the direction of the spine with designated techniques.Practice even method with lift-thrust and twist-twirl needling techniques,10s/point.2.Non-point shallow prick control group:The acupuncture points selected for the control group were approximately 1.5～2cm away outward from the back-shu acupoints of five zang organs(about on the middle of the two sidelines of the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang)and they were excluded the points from the Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang.Acupuncture points,located 1.5～2cm away outward from the shen shu,were directly stabbed 0.2～0.3 inch underneath the skin.The rest of the non-points should be oblique inserted 0.2～0.3 inch in the direction of the spine.After acupuncture,we do not require the arrival of Qi,without tonifying or reducing methods.The patients of both groups were in a prone position.Then,the practitioner routinely disinfected the skin before the treatment,which was carried out two times per week,twenty minutes of retaining each time,eight times for a course of treatment.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 first course of treatment.Results:1.Baseline Comparability:there was no statistical difference(P>0.05)in terms of age,course of the disease,gender,FS-14 scores and physical fatigue scores,mental fatigue scores,SCL-90 scores and each factor score of two groups by statistical analysis.The two were comparable.2.After the treatment,the comparison of clinical efficacy:the clinical efficacy of treatment group was better than that of the control group obviously(P<0.01).This result shows that acupuncture on the back-shu acupoints of five zang-organs can regulate the function of the five zang-organs and improve the fatigue status of CFS patients.The clinical curative effect is significant.3.Before and after the treatment,we compared FS-14 scores,physical fatigue scores,and mental fatigue scores between the two groups:In the treatment group,FS-14 scores and the scores of physical fatigue and mental fatigue were significantly improved after the treatment(P<0.01).FS-14 scores and mental fatigue scores in the control group were significantly improved(P<0.01),mental fatigue scores were improved compared with the group before treatment,but there was no statistically difference(P>0.05).The improvement of FS-14 scores,body fatigue scores,and mental fatigue scores in the treatment group were better than those in the control group(P<0.05).This result shows that the two groups can improve the overall degree of fatigue and physical fatigue,and the treatment group on the total fatigue,physical fatigue and mental fatigue improved than the control group.4.Before and after the treatment,we compared the SCL-90 scores and each factor score between the two groups:SCL-90 scores and somatization,compulsion,interpersonal sensitivity,depression,anxiety,hostility,psychoticism,and other factor scores in the treatment group were significantly improved(P<0.01).The difference was not statistically significant in the improvement of terror scores,paranoia scores(P>0.05).The improvement was found in SCL-90 scores and somatization,compulsion,hostility,and other factor scores in the control group(P<0.01),the scores of interpersonal sensitivity,depression,anxiety,terror,paranoia,psychoticism were improved compared with the group before treatment,but there was no statistically difference(P>0.05).The improvement in the total scores of the SCL-90 and somatization,compulsion,interpersonal sensitivity,depression,anxiety,psychoticism and other factor scores in the treatment group were better than those of the control group(P<0.05).This result shows that both groups can improve the patient’s overall psychological state and somatization,compulsion,hostility,and other factor.In addition to the three factors of hostility,terror,and paranoia,the treatment group on the SCL-90 total scores and other factors scores improved than the control group.Conclusions:There were significant improvements of the patient’s physical fatigue,mental fatigue and psychological state with acupuncture on the back-shu acupoints of five zang organs,which indicated promising therapeutic effect on CFS.Compared with non-point shallow prick,the treatment group had significant advantages in improving fatigue and psychological condition.Besides,it was suggested that acupuncture therapy is a relatively safe and effective treatment and worthy of clinical promotion considering no adverse events found in both groups during the treatment. |
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