Acupuncture for Chronic Fatigue

Abstract

Abstract

Background:

Only very few pharmacologic agents can target chronic fatigue, and the success of treatment depends on the successful treatment of the primary chronic condition that has produced the fatigue. In chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), which is not associated with any chronic medical condition, the only treatment that holds some promise is cognitive behavioral therapy, which produces variable results. Acupuncture is unique position because it can effectively target Qi Deficiency, which is the root cause of chronic fatigue and CFS.

Objective:

The aim of this research was to assess the effect of acupuncture on all forms of chronic fatigue, including CFS and associated pathologies.

Methods:

Thirty cases were studied from the medical records of the current author from 2011 to 2013. These cases represented a wide cross-section of various chronic disorders in which fatigue was a prominent symptom or in which CFS was diagnosed. The primary endpoint was immediate effect on fatigue after the first treatment, the secondary endpoint was level of fatigue after the fourth treatment, and the final endpoint was level of fatigue after sixteen treatments. The first four treatments solely addressed fatigue; treatments 5–16 targeted both fatigue and Chinese Disharmony Patterns.

Results:

There was a 28% improvement in the average fatigue score immediately after the first treatment. After four treatments, the average improvement was 58%, and, after sixteen treatments, the average improvement was 90%. The residual average fatigue score was 6%, while the individual fatigue scores for many patients came down to 0%.

Conclusions:

Acupuncture is a most effective modality of treatment for chronic fatigue and CFS, especially in terminally ill patients, for whom acupuncture is useful, because, it is usually effective without side-effects.