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Prospective Sham-Controlled trial: acupuncture for symptom-relieving in patients with Sjögren's disease.

Clinical rheumatology
April 3, 2025
Jaciara M Gomes-Silva et al. (8 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in relieving sicca symptoms (dry eyes and dry mouth) in patients with Sjögren's disease (SjD).

Results Summary

Acupuncture significantly improved dryness symptoms (ESSPRI scores) and showed persistent effects for at least 4 weeks post-treatment. It also improved fatigue, pain, oral health, and salivary flow, though no other statistically significant differences were observed. The study had a small sample size and short follow-up period.

Population

SjD patients experiencing dry eyes and dry mouth (n=27 completed; acupuncture=15, sham=12).

Effective Dosage

Weekly acupuncture sessions for 8 weeks.

Duration

8 weeks of intervention, with follow-up 4 weeks post-treatment.

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (12)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
acupuncture
decrease
total ESSPRI
SjD patients
-
exhibited significant improvement
#1
acupuncture
decrease
ESSPRI dryness scores
SjD patients
-
exhibited significant improvement
#2
acupuncture
decrease
total ESSPRI and ESSPRI dryness scores
SjD patients
at least 4 weeks
positive effects persisted for at least 4 weeks after the completion of treatment
#3
acupuncture
decrease
ESSPRI fatigue domain
SjD patients
-
exhibited improvement over time
#4
acupuncture
decrease
ESSPRI pain domain
SjD patients
-
exhibited improvement over time
#5
acupuncture
decrease
OHIP-14
SjD patients
-
exhibited improvement over time
#6
acupuncture
decrease
XI
SjD patients
-
exhibited improvement over time
#7
acupuncture
increase
UWSF
SjD patients
-
exhibited improvement over time
#8
acupuncture
increase
ST
SjD patients
-
exhibited improvement over time
#9
acupuncture
no change
corneal fluorescein staining score, tear film break-up time, Ocular Surface Disease Index, Challacombe scale
SjD patients
-
No other statistically significant differences were observed
#10
acupuncture
decrease
dryness
SjD patients
-
is effective in relieving dryness
#11
acupuncture
decrease
symptoms
primary Sjögren's disease patients
-
exerts a symptom-relieving effect
#12
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in relieving sicca symptoms of SjD. METHODS: A prospective, single-center, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted on SjD patients experiencing dry eyes and dry mouth. Forty-six patients were randomized and 27 completed the study (acupuncture, n = 15; sham, n = 12). Patients received either acupuncture or sham acupuncture (control) weekly for 8 weeks. Key outcomes, including Schirmer test (ST), corneal fluorescein staining score, tear film break-up time, Ocular Surface Disease Index, unstimulated whole salivary flow (UWSF), EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), Xerostomia Inventory (XI) score, Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) score, and Challacombe scale, were measured at baseline, immediately after treatment, and 4 weeks later. Statistical analysis consisted of comparing outcomes between groups over time. RESULTS: The acupuncture group exhibited significant improvement in total ESSPRI and ESSPRI dryness scores. The positive effects persisted for at least 4 weeks after the completion of treatment. Furthermore, the acupuncture group exhibited improvement over time in the ESSPRI fatigue domain, ESSPRI pain domain, OHIP-14, XI, UWSF, and ST. No other statistically significant differences were observed. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is effective in relieving dryness in SjD patients. Larger samples and longer observation periods are necessary to better understand the effectiveness of this intervention in SjD. (NCT04056221/ 18/02/2019). Key Points • Acupuncture is a low-cost method with few side effects • Acupuncture exerts a symptom-relieving effect in primary Sjögren's disease patients.

Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety80
Efficacy70/10
Quality70/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.40
Normalized Score0.74
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