OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy on fibromyalgia syndrome treated with acupuncture at the acupoints selected from the affected meridians based on the location differentiation and the heavy moxibustion at painful points by the randomized controlled trial with medication.

METHODSThirty-two patients of fibromyalgia were randomized into an acupuncture-moxihustion group and a medication group, 16 cases in each one. In the acupuncture-moxibustion group, acupuncture at the acupoints selected from the affected meridians based on the location differentiation and the heavy moxibustion at painful points were applied, once every two days, three times a week, for 4 weeks totally. In the medication group, tramadol sustained release tablets and amitriptyline were prescribed for oral administration, once a day, for 4 weeks. The follow-up visit was conducted for 4 weeks in the two groups. Before and after treatment and in follow-up visit, the revised version of the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQR) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were adopted for assessment and comparison of the efficacy between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment and in follow-up visit, FIQR score and VAS score were improved apparently as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P<0. 05). At the end of treatment, the differences were not significant statistically between the two groups (all P>0. 05). But the differences were significant in follow-up visit (all P<0. 05). The scores in the acupuncture-moxibustion group were improved persistently, but those in the medication group were rebound.

CONCLUSIONThe acupuncture at the acupoints selected from the affected meridians based on the location differentiation and the heavy moxibustion at painful points are safe and effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome and present the better persistent effect as compared with the combined medication of tramadol sustained release tablets and amitriptyline.