Prospective Sham-Controlled trial: acupuncture for symptom-relieving in patients with Sjögren's disease.
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
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.