Influence of comorbidities on improvement of fibromyalgia symptoms when treated with acupuncture

Altern Ther Health Med. 2008 Sep-Oct;14(5):24-5.

Influence of comorbidities on improvement of fibromyalgia symptoms when treated with acupuncture: a short report.

Singh BB, Khorsan R, Vinjamury SP. Medicus Research LLC, Midlothian, Virginia, USA.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is associated with chronic widespread pain, mood alteration, and disability. A definitive treatment plan has not been identified. The genesis of FMS is unclear and generally occurs in women.

PURPOSE: To determine whether patient-identified most disruptive comorbidity (MDC) secondary to FMS may have mediated recovery for individual patients. This is a probative analysis of data from an effectiveness study published in the March 2006 issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. (2006;12(2):34-41.)

METHODS: The American College ofRheumatology (ACR) criteria for FMS was used in participant selection; 21 participants completed the study.

RESULTS: The original outcome study indicated significant changes on standardized measures using specific points and numbers of treatment within an 8-week period. The preliminary data on influence ofMDC on improvement were differential related to self-report MDC by patients.

CONCLUSIONS: For all MDCs combined, participants experienced significant improvement at 8 weeks of treatment. Participants with irritable bowel syndrome as their MDC generally had a lower percentage of improvement than other MDC cohort groups. This finding has implications for treatment.

PMID: 18780581 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]