The majority of Norwegian patients with treatment-resistant chronic pain regained normal national health standards within 12 months after De-Qi acupuncture - a prospective observational propensity score matched study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the proportion of patients with chronic pain unresponsive to conventional therapies who regain normal health after 1 year of De-Qi acupuncture, as well as its sustained effects on pain reduction and health improvements.
Results Summary
De-Qi acupuncture was associated with significant pain reduction (VAS scores improved from 6.2 to 3.2 at 12 months) and health improvements (SF-36 scores), with 75% of patients showing strong responses (58% complete cure, 17% near-normal health). Older patients (>65) and those receiving ≥6 treatments responded better, but the observational design limits causal inferences despite Hill criteria suggesting causation.
Population
354 new patients in a family medical practice (median age 50, 65% female) with chronic pain (median duration 18 months) unresponsive to conventional therapies.
Effective Dosage
Median of 6 acupuncture treatments (range 1-27).
Duration
Follow-up assessments at 3 and 12 months.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
De-Qi acupuncture | decrease | pain | patients with chronic pain (median 18 months), who were unresponsive to conventional treatments | - | was associated with sustained pain reduction | #1 |
De-Qi acupuncture | increase | health | patients with chronic pain (median 18 months), who were unresponsive to conventional treatments | - | was associated with health improvements | #2 |
De-Qi acupuncture | decrease | VAS pain intensity | new patients in a family medical practice | from 6.2 (SD 2.5) to 4.0 at 3 months and 3.2 at 12 months | improved | #3 |
De-Qi acupuncture | increase | SF-36 scores | new patients in a family medical practice | - | improved | #4 |
De-Qi acupuncture | increase | response to treatment | patients | 75% | showed strong responses | #5 |
De-Qi acupuncture | increase | health status | patients | 58% | reaching complete cure | #6 |
De-Qi acupuncture | increase | health status | patients | 17% | achieving near-normal health | #7 |
De-Qi acupuncture | increase | response to treatment | Patients aged >65 | - | responded well | #8 |
De-Qi acupuncture | increase | response to treatment | - | ≥6 treatments | were associated with stronger responses | #9 |
De-Qi acupuncture | increase | health status | Most | after 12-months | attained Norwegian national normal health standards (complete cure) | #10 |
PURPOSE: In previous studies, acupuncture was effective in the treatment of patients with chronic pain that was unresponsive to conventional therapies. However, the proportion of patients in a real-world setting who regain normal health after 1 year, following De-Qi acupuncture is unknown. METHODS: This is an observational prospective study of 354 new patients in a family medical practice between 2015 and 2018. Patients self-assessed pain using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and health using the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) before treatment and at 3- and 12-months of follow-up. VAS and SF-36 components were compared for improvements and therapeutic effect sizes. Propensity score matching was employed to avoid bias by confounding variables. RESULTS: The participation rate was 29%, median age 50 years (range 20-79), 65% were females, median pain duration was 18 months (6-360), the median number of acupuncture treatments was 6 (1-27). The initial VAS pain intensity of 6.2 (SD 2.5) improved to 4.0 at 3 months and 3.2 at 12 months (p < .001, large effect size); SF-36 scores also improved. 75% of patients showed strong responses, with 58% reaching complete cure and 17% achieving near-normal health. Patients aged >65 responded well and ≥6 treatments were associated with stronger responses than 1-5. Hill criteria analysis of improvements with acupuncture suggested causation over association. CONCLUSION: In patients with chronic pain (median 18 months), who were unresponsive to conventional treatments, De-Qi acupuncture was associated with sustained pain reduction and health improvements. Most attained Norwegian national normal health standards (complete cure) after 12-months.