Comparison Of Acupuncture And Fluoxetine In Improving Of Fibromyalgia Symptoms

OBJECTIVE:to compare the efficacy of acupuncture and fluoxetine in improving of fibromyalgia syndrome and to test the hypothesis that acupuncture and fluoxetine effects are synergistic.PATIENTS AND METHODS:We conducted a prospective, non-blinded, drug controlled, randomized, clinical trial of patients receiving acupuncture (group A) comparedwith a group received acupuncture plus fluoxetine (group B) and a group of patients who received fluoxetine (group C). All patients met American College of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia and had tried conservative symptomatic treatments other than acupuncture. We measured symptoms with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and theHealth Survey questionnaire (SF-36)at baseline, immediately after treatment, and2months after treatment. The trial was conducted from Sep21,2011, to April21,2012.RESULTS:ninety patients participated in the study:30in the acupuncture group,30in the acupuncture plus drug group and30in the drug-control group. Total fibromyalgia symptoms, as measured by the FIQ, were significantly improved in the acupuncture group and acupuncture plus drug group compared with the drug-control group during the study period (P<.0001). The largest difference in mean FIQ total scores was observed at5weeks (44.9vs.24.3in the acupuncture and drug groups, respectively; P<.0001). Fatigue and anxiety were the most significantly improved symptoms during the follow-upperiod.There was no significant difference between acupuncture and acupuncture plus drug group. Acupuncture was well tolerated, with minimal adverse effects.CONCLUSION:We found that acupuncture significantly improved symptoms of fibromyalgia. Symptomatic improvement was not restricted to pain relief and was most significant forpain, rest and fatigue. There was no synergy between acupuncture and fluoxetine.