Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome characterized by chronic musculoskeletal pain, accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, and depressive symptoms. Medicine offers limited therapeutic options, which has led for complementary approaches. Objective: This review aimed to analyze the effects of acupuncture, applied according to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), in the treatment of FM. Methodology: Articles were searched in the online databases using the keywords “Fibromyalgia,” “Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic,” “Acupuncture,” and “Medicine, Chinese Traditional,” focusing on studies from the last 5 years. Ten studies were examined, including clinical trials, systematic reviews, and experimental studies. Results: The data suggest that acupuncture, when integrated according to TCM principles, significantly contributes to pain relief, improved quality of life, and emotional well-being. The heterogeneity of the studies and methodological limitations indicate the need for more robust and standardized research. There is also a lack of scientific literature addressing the key authors and references in this field. Conclusion: It is concluded that acupuncture based on TCM represents a valid therapeutic strategy for the multidimensional approach to FM. The creation of an entity to promote and regulate research in this area is recommended, of consistent and scientifically valid methodological criteria.
Authors: Alexandra Figueira, Ana Luísa Coelho Alves, Ana Catarina Oliveira, Ângela Montes, Filipa Sousa Maria, Julia Bernhard, Graça Pacheco, Nuno Pereira, Rodrigo Rouqueiro, Solange Ribeiro
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo
Language: English
Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4415047621
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