OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of two types of acupuncture on the quality of life of individuals with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and provide preliminary evidence regarding the safety of this intervention for this population.

DESIGN

Preliminary single-blind randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Outpatient attendance at rehabilitation unit.

PARTICIPANTS

Fourteen participants with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

INTERVENTIONS

Chinese medical acupuncture or minimal acupuncture. Participants received 10 treatments over five weeks.

MEASURES

Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale 29, Fatigue Severity Scale and General Health Questionnaire 12 were measured pre and post intervention. Adverse events and other responses during treatment were recorded prospectively.

RESULTS

Participants receiving minimal acupuncture demonstrated statistically significant greater improvement in the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale 29 psychological subscale compared with those receiving Chinese medical acupuncture in an intention-to-treat analysis (P=0.04), with mean change in Chinese acupuncture group of 6.0 (SD 13.9) and in minimal acupuncture group of 23.0 (SD 21.0). No other statistically significant difference between the groups was found. No major adverse events were noted. Minor adverse events such as lower limb muscle spasms or pain were noted in some participants in both intervention groups.

CONCLUSION

Minimal acupuncture resulted in greater improvement of Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale 29 psychological subscale compared with Chinese medical acupuncture. No other differences between the groups were found. In view of the small sample these results are not conclusive. This study provides preliminary evidence to suggest that acupuncture is safe for people with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. A large-scale trial is required to provide more definitive evidence.