Assessment of acupuncture's effectiveness in mitigating fatigue among patients afflicted with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and purpose

Fatigue is a pervasive and debilitating symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) that severely impairs quality of life and daily functioning. This emphasizes the essential need for complementary therapies that go beyond conventional therapies. Although acupuncture is gaining popularity in MS management, there is a critical lack of rigorous research on its effectiveness in alleviating symptoms.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, focusing on studies evaluating acupuncture's effectiveness in alleviating fatigue in MS patients. Key outcomes measured in the analysis included fatigue, quality of life, and disability.

Results

Six studies were included in the analysis, consisting of two observational studies and four randomized controlled trials. The analysis focused on evaluating acupuncture's efficacy in alleviating fatigue induced by MS. Despite variations in acupuncture protocols, outcome metrics, and control conditions, our meta-analysis revealed that acupuncture significantly reduces fatigue (MD: −0.92, 95 % CI: −1.36 to −0.47, p < 0.0001) and enhances quality of life (SMD: 0.91, 95 % CI: 0.07–1.74, p = 0.03), underscoring its potential as a therapeutic intervention in the management of MS.

Conclusion

The meta-analysis suggests a notable improvement in MS-related fatigue following acupuncture, both compared to controls and pre-treatment levels, positioning it as a potential adjunct therapy. However, the prevalent risk of bias in these studies necessitates further high-quality research, along with studies involving larger patient cohorts, to definitively ascertain acupuncture's efficacy and safety in this context.