Abstract

COLLAZO CHAO, E.. Effectiveness of acupuncture in relieving pain refractory to conventional pharmacological therapy. Rev. Soc. Esp. Dolor [online]. 2009, vol.16, n.2, pp.79-86. ISSN 1134-8046.

Objectives: To evaluate the overall effectiveness of acupuncture as a complementary therapy in relieving chronic pain in paired groups (before-after) of patients in a real life clinical setting. To determine the extent to which analgesic consumption is reduced in these patients after an acupuncture cycle. To determine the adverse reactions due to acupuncture. To evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing pain in distinct clinical entities in order to identify those in which this therapeutic modality is most effective. Material and methods: We performed a quasi-experimental study in 225 outpatients with pain refractory to conventional pharmacological therapy. Pain was measured with a multiple-item pain scale before the acupuncture cycle was started, after the traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis was made, and when the treatment cycle was complete. Results: Significant differences (p < 0.001) before and after acupuncture treatment were obtained for the overall pain score and for each of its variables (intensity, frequency, analgesic consumption, disability, and sleep). After the acupuncture cycle, the total pain score decreased by 60.6%, intensity by 55.5%, frequency by 51.2%, analgesic consumption by 68.2%, disability by 59.9%, and sleep improved by 74.1%. The most frequent disorders were low back pain, fi bromyalgia, and headache. No adverse effects of acupuncture were observed. Eleven percent of the patients showed drug intolerance. Conclusions: Acupuncture consumes few resources and is highly effective in the complementary treatment of chronic pain. The reduction in analgesic consumption in patients with pain increases quality of life and patient satisfaction and reduces adverse effects and healthcare costs. Larger studies are required to identify the disorders in which acupuncture should be considered a first-line option.

Keywords : Acupuncture; Untreatable pain; Combined therapy; Treatment results.

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