Effect of Acupuncture on Cytokine Levels in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningfagfællebedømt

  • Marie Lynning
  • Kirsten Hanehoj
  • Katrine Westergaard
  • Annette Kjaer Ersboll
  • Claesson, Mogens Helweg
  • Finn Boesen
  • Lasse Skovgaard

Background: Cytokines have been found to play a role in the disease activity of multiple sclerosis (MS). Previous studies indicate that acupuncture can affect cytokine levels in persons with other inflammatory diseases. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of acupuncture on cytokine levels and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in persons with MS. Materials and Methods: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was performed. Participants (n = 66) were randomized into three groups (real acupuncture, sham acupuncture, and reference). Participants in the real acupuncture and sham groups received six treatments during a period of 4 weeks. The serum levels of 11 pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IFNγ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p70, IL-13, TNFα, IL-10, IL-4, IL-2, and IL-17A) were assessed at baseline, after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, and 4 weeks after the final treatment. Changes in HRQoL were assessed using the Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis questionnaire. Results: No statistically significant differences in plasma levels between the three groups were seen for either of the cytokines, nor were there any differences between the groups for HRQoL. Conclusions: In this study, the authors could not demonstrate that a 4-week acupuncture treatment had a measurable effect on the plasma levels of seven selected cytokines or on HRQoL among people with MS. The trial was registered with the ISRCTN registry as ISRCTN34352011.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftJournal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Vol/bind27
Udgave nummer10
Sider (fra-til)832-840
Antal sider9
ISSN1075-5535
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2021

Bibliografisk note

Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright 2021, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2021.

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