Clinical observation on electroacupuncture for treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome

Objective To observe clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Back-shu acupoints of five zang-organs on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Methods Forty cases of CFS were treated with electroacupuncture at main acupoints Back-shu, and Fatigue Assessment Instrument (FAI) and Mental State Self-rating Scale (SCL-90) were used for assessment of therapeutic effect. Results After electroacupuncture treatment, clinical symptoms improved. The cumulative scores of FAI decreased from 148.36±26.53 before treatment to 98.63±28.36 after treatment (P0.01). And the scores of somatization, depression, anxiety and interpersonal relationship in SCL-90 reduced significantly (P0.01). Conclusion Electroacupuncture has a definite therapeutic effect on chronic fatigue syndrome.