Ineffective For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Acupuncture is commonly used for painful musculoskeletal disorders. To test the effectiveness of acupuncture in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fifty-six outpatients were involved in a placebo-controlled study on an outpatient basis. They were evaluated for pain, swollen and tender joints, general health, and several other outcomes.

The researchers found no significant differences between those receiving acupuncture treatments and those in the placebo group. According to researcher Joel David, FRCP, “Patients with chronic, painful disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis often turn to alternative remedies. Unfortunately acupuncture works no better than placebo.”

Source: Rheumatology 1999;38:864-869.