Open-label trial regarding the use of acupuncture and yin tui na in Parkinson's disease outpatients: a pilot study on efficacy, tolerability, and quality of life.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
This study evaluates the effects of sequential tui na massage, acupuncture, and instrument-delivered qigong for patients with Parkinson disease (PD) over a 6-month period.

DESIGN:
Patients received weekly treatments, which included tui na massage prior to acupuncture followed by instrument-delivered qigong. Each patient was assessed at baseline and at 6 months.

SETTING:
The setting was an outpatient research/academic clinic for patients with PD and nonacademic acupuncture clinic.

SUBJECTS:
Twenty-five (25) patients with idiopathic PD were the subjects.

OUTCOME MEASURES:
Before and after treatment patients were evaluated with the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr Staging (H&Y), Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living (S & E), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) quality of life assessment, and patient global assessments.

RESULTS:
There were no significant improvements in treatment measures; however, there was a 2.4-point worsening in UPDRS motor scores (24.0 versus 26.4, p = 0.018). There was a 16% improvement in the PDQ- 39 total score (23.2 versus 19.6, p = 0.044) and a 29% improvement in the BDI (9.6 versus 6.8, p = 0.006). Sixteen (16) patients reported moderate to marked improvement. There were no adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS:
Acupuncture is safe and well tolerated in patients with PD. Most patients reported subjective improvement. The BDI and PDQ-39 total score, measuring depression and quality of life, demonstrated some improvement, but UPDRS motor scores worsened.

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Author information

Author/s: Eng, Marty L (ML); Lyons, Kelly E (KE); Greene, Michael S (MS); Pahwa, Rajesh (R);

Affiliation: University of Kansas Medical Center, University of Kansas, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Kansas City, KS 66160-7231, USA. meng(-atsign-)kumc.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) (J Altern Complement Med), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-May; vol 12 (issue 4) : pp 395-9

Dates: Created 2006/05/25; Completed 2006/08/16; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16722790, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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