Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Medicine logoLink to Medicine
. 2025 May 23;104(21):e42111. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000042111

The efficacy of acupuncture-based chinese medicine in chronic fatigue syndrome: A meta-analysis

Chuwen Feng a,b, Yuanyuan Qu c, Jianli Wu d, Tao Chen c, Tingting Liu c, Jing Lu c, Shulin Li a,b, Tiansong Yang a,b,*
PMCID: PMC12113930  PMID: 40419870

Abstract

Background:

The efficacy of acupuncture therapy in treating chronic fatigue syndrome remains a matter of intense debate owing to contradictory findings. This article describes a systematic review and meta-analysis to study its effect on fatigue, functional mobility, and mental health.

Methods:

A thorough search of PubMed, PEDro, CINAHL, SportDiscus, and Scopus was performed. The studies meeting the PICO criteria for the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome were independently screened, and the data were extracted. Standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using fixed or random-effects models. Publication bias and study quality were assessed to ensure reliability.

Results:

Acupuncture demonstrated potential benefits in improving near-term fatigue (RR = –1.21, 95% CI: −1.38 to −1.04), long-term fatigue (RR = –0.56, 95% CI: −0.70 to −0.42), somatic and mental health (RR = –0.30, 95% CI: −1.03 to 0.44), and reducing depression incidence (RR = –0.28, 95% CI: −2.11 to 1.56) in patients with CFS as an effective treatment modality.

Conclusions:

Acupuncture, especially when combined with rehabilitation, seems to improve fatigue and quality of life among patients with CFS. However, results should be considered carefully since some methodological weaknesses are worth mentioning, such as diversity between studies and the inclusion of lower-quality clinical trials. Future research should consider the importance of conducting large-scale, multicenter randomized controlled trials with standardized methodology to confirm these findings.

Keywords: acupuncture, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, meta-analysis, systematic review

1. Introduction

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex multisystem disorder characterized by persistent or cyclical fatigue, along with various accompanying symptoms such as insomnia, memory loss, headache, sore throat, and somatic pain.[1] Despite its prevalence and impact on daily life, the exact cause of CFS remains unknown. Current treatment approaches in modern medicine focus on symptomatic relief and lack targeted therapies.[2] However, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) modalities, including acupuncture and moxibustion, have shown promise in the treatment of CFS, effectively alleviating symptoms.[3] Epidemiological studies have consistently reported a high prevalence of CFS with liver depression and spleen deficiency among both women (95%) and men (93%). These prevalence rates vary across different populations, with 92% in community samples, 72% in primary care settings, and 82% among adults, demonstrating an increasing trend over time.[3] The initial presentation of CFS is typically characterized by mild symptoms that significantly impact patients’ daily functioning and overall quality of life. Consequently, there is a growing interest in exploring traditional treatment modalities, such as acupuncture, tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage), Chinese herbs, and patches, to help patients gradually regain a sense of normalcy.[4] CFS lies at the intersection of medicine and psychology, and there is currently no universally accepted pathophysiological approach for its treatment. While pharmacological interventions can be effective, their efficacy is limited, and long-term use may lead to adverse health effects.[5] Non-pharmacological interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and graded exercise, may provide relief. Still, they often require professional guidance, can be costly, and have low patient compliance, which limits their practical application.[6]

Based on the clinical manifestations of CFS, Chinese medicine classifies it as a “deficiency labor” disease. Ancient medical texts such as the Spleen and Stomach Lectures describe how excessive labor can weaken the spleen qi, leading to lethargy, drowsiness, limb weakness, and diarrhea. This highlights the role of spleen qi weakness and spleen and stomach dysfunction in contributing to fatigue.[7] The Treatise on the Sea from the Spiritual Pivot mentions that a deficiency in the Medulla oblongata can cause weakness, dizziness, fatigue, lumbar and knee soreness, and pain in the tendons and bones. This emphasizes that a deficiency in renal essence is one of the key factors contributing to fatigue.[8] Jin Gui discusses how emotional fluctuations can lead to liver qi stagnation, resulting in qi disorders characterized by generalized weakness and musculoskeletal pain. TCM offers an effective treatment approach for CFS based on the principles of a holistic concept and evidence-based treatment. Acupuncture and moxibustion treatments aim to restore normal bodily functions by unblocking meridians, regulating qi and blood, and strengthening the body’s resistance to disease.[9] As a result, TCM and acupuncture have emerged as effective methods for treating CFS. Modern medical research has also confirmed the efficacy of acupuncture in treating CFS, highlighting its advantages, such as high safety, low treatment cost, and ease of administration.[10] Moreover, acupuncture avoids potential issues related to gastrointestinal absorption and circulatory disorders that may arise from drug therapy, making it a favorable option in clinical practice.

This study is distinct from previous reviews as it thoroughly evaluates acupuncture’s efficacy on CFS and clinical relevance through other well-established outcome measures and quality assessments documented so far. To date, a few reviews have looked into the generic impacts of acupuncture, while even fewer have fully addressed the methodological quality, publication bias, and heterogeneity of studies finally included. This aims to fill that gap through stricter inclusion criteria and more modern day-to-day analysis, unlocking the conclusiveness that matters. A recent systematic review is aimed at investigating fatigue symptoms due to acupuncture in patients diagnosed with CFS. Different acupuncture techniques to improve fatigue in CFS patients were used in the review.[11] Still, these reviews have not given definite conclusions because of the small sample size, variability in acupuncture techniques, and heterogeneous outcome reporting. CFS patients preliminarily indicated that expressed benefits might stem from interventions such as graded exercise therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and rehabilitation programs.

However, it has not been validated through meta-analysis methods. Thus, the narrow statistical comparability of the few studies makes data interpretation and critical evaluation all the more difficult.[12] This investigation is a systematic review and meta-analysis employing robust statistical methodologies to understand acupuncture-examined CFS better. The meta-analysis will determine acupuncture’s efficacy in treating CFS symptoms. Therefore, tackling study heterogeneity and methodological concerns allows for a more detailed and stringent analysis of acupuncture’s efficacy, providing unheard-of insights into its functional role in treating CFS.

2. Methods

Ethics approval is not necessary. This is a meta-analysis; this study has no human or animal.

2.1. Search strategy

A thorough search strategy was then used to perform this systematic review according to the guidelines of meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology (MOOSE). The protocol for this meta-analysis was not registered. Systematic and intensive searches were performed across several databases, particularly Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, the China Knowledge Network (CNKI), China Biomedical Literature Service (CBM), and Wanfang. The search terms used in English encompassed: “randomly,” “trial,” “randomized,” “randomized,” “Acupuncture,” “moxibustion,” and other related key terms. Disease-specific terms: “CFS,” “CFS.” A search strategy applied to the PubMed database is illustrated in Table 1. Besides, the titles and contents of included studies were checked manually to provide an objective summary evaluation and ensure that no relevant literature was omitted. Combining systematic and intensive strategies assured comprehensiveness and broad literature coverage, thus providing a robust base for evidence generation.

Table 1.

PubMed search strategy.

Search number Query
#1 (randomly[Title/Abstract]) OR (trial[Title/Abstract]) OR (randomized[Title/Abstract]) OR (Acupuncture[Title/Abstract]) OR (moxibustion[Title/Abstract])
#2 (chronic fatigue syndrome[Title/Abstract]) OR (CFS[Title/Abstract])
#3 #1 AND #2
Open in a new tab

CFS = chronic fatigue syndrome.

2.2. Inclusion criteria

The analysis followed strict inclusion criteria, which were applied only to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) available in English or Chinese. This was independent of their publication status. The article clearly defined the standard for diagnosis for the patients included in this general investigation. The eligible RCTs had to involve interventions using acupuncture alone, moxibustion alone, or acupuncture and moxibustion combined. The control groups could include TCM, Western medicine, placebo treatments, or acupuncture/moxibustion alone if the study was to test combination therapy. The studies had to assess the efficacy based on predetermined outcomes, like symptom improvement rates or reduction in fatigue severity, in which ineffectiveness was defined as <30% reduction or a third of the syndrome score.

2.3. Exclusion criteria

Studies that did not meet the required methodological rigor for inclusion in a systematic review were excluded. Non-RCTs, duplicate publications, or those that were insufficient in methodological quality were not considered. Animal studies, case reports, and review articles were excluded to maintain focus on clinical trials. Studies comparing varying types of acupuncture or moxibustion without a control group were similarly discarded. Incorporating additional therapeutic interventions besides acupuncture and moxibustion was a basis for the exclusion of trials; further evident was the blatant disregard of some Western medicine treatments discouraged by current NICE guidelines, namely glucocorticoids or mineral corticosteroids. The reason for exclusion included studies in which inefficacy was not defined as a decrease of at least 30% or 1/3 of the syndrome score. Studies failing to report extractable outcome measures, including incidence rates or clinical efficacy, were also excluded. Confounding factors were avoided based on overlapping conditions, which 12 could influence fatigue severity.

2.4. Quality evaluation criteria and data extraction

Two independent reviewers conducted the literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment for the included studies. When discrepancies arose, a third reviewer was consulted to reach a consensus. Extracted data included study design, patient population, inclusion/exclusion criteria, interventional protocol, control treatments, and measured outcomes. The Jadad scale assessed the quality of the RCTs through scoring based on randomization, blinding, and withdrawals or dropouts. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of cohort and case-control studies, ensuring some quality toward the reliability of the studies.

2.5. Statistical methods

RevMan 5.3 software was utilized for the statistical analysis. The odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was employed as the statistical measure for dichotomous variables. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q test and I2 statistic. If the heterogeneity was low, a fixed-effects model was used for analysis. In cases of high heterogeneity, a random-effects (RE) model was applied to explore and analyze the sources of heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis was conducted to determine if significant heterogeneity was detected and if there were statistically significant differences in the characteristics of the study population. If the source of heterogeneity could not be explained, descriptive analysis was performed.

2.6. Assessment of publication bias

A thorough assessment of publication bias was performed with funnel plot asymmetry analysis and Egger regression test, considering possible biases in study selection and reporting and their consequential interpretation in the meta-analysis results.

3. Results

3.1. Characteristics of included studies

From 2010 to October 2023, a comprehensive search yielded a total of 732 relevant articles. After removing duplicates, 271 articles remained, comprising 145 articles in English and 126 articles in Chinese. Following the initial screening of titles and abstracts, 255 articles were excluded from the analysis. Reasons for exclusion included irrelevance to the study topic (142 articles), case reports and reviews (77 articles), single-group studies (36 articles), and other reasons. Sixteen articles underwent full-text assessment, of which 7 were ultimately excluded due to missing data (4 articles) or incompatibility with the diagnosis of the subjects (3 articles). Ultimately, 9 studies were included in the analysis.[13–21] The observation group consisted of 455 participants, while the control group comprised 453 patients. The risk of bias assessment is presented in Figure 1, providing a comprehensive view of the heterogeneity across the included studies. The flowchart depicting the literature screening process is shown in Figure 1, and the basic information of the included studies is presented in Table 2.

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

Open in a new tab

Literature selection framework. This is a flowchart depicting the study selection process, including the number of identified, screened, excluded, and included studies.

Table 2.

Basic information on the included literature.

Authors Study types Total cases Outcome indices
Kim 2015[13] Case–control study 99 a, b
Tingting 2022[14] Undefined 276 a, b, c, d
Xu 2019[20] Case-control study 68 a, b, c
Ling 2013[15] Randomized controlled study 80 a, b
Wang 2009[19] Case-control study 64 a, b, c
Chen 2010[18] Case-control study 90 a, b
Yao 2007[22] Case-control study 99 a, b
Qi 2017[21] Case-control study 60 d
Xu 2012[23] Case-control study 72 c
Open in a new tab

(a) FSS 5 week; (b) FSS 13 week; (c) SPHERE; (d) SDS.

FSS = fatigue severity scale, SDS = self-rating depression scale, SPHERE = somatic and psychological health report.

3.2. Quality evaluation of included studies

Among those analyzed, 8 were RCTs, while 1 was a retrospective case-control study. The randomized people were considered using the Jadad scale to rate the quality. It was considered appropriate for 2 points to generate a random sequence. How randomization was concealed was uncertain, so 1 point could be given. As any of the studies has reported no blinding methods, a score of 0 points contradicts this evidence, showing a higher risk for bias. In addition, none of the studies purported the number or cause for withdrawals or dropouts of participants, which further led to a downgraded methodological quality of the trials included. Thus, the Jadad score for these studies indicated a score of 3 for literature of low quality (Table 3 and Fig. 2). Such methodological weaknesses should be considered while interpreting the results, as these would inβuence the reliability of the conclusion with a certain degree of potential bias.

Table 3.

Jadad score of included literature.

Authors Number of cases Comparability Outcomes Jadad score
Kim 2015[13] 4 2 1 7
Tingting 2022[14] 3 2 1 6
Xu 2019[20] 3 2 1 6
Ling 2013[15] 3 1 1 5
Wang 2009[16] 4 2 1 7
Chen 2010[18] 3 2 1 6
Yao 2007[22] 4 2 1 7
Qi 2017[21] 4 2 1 7
Xu 2012[23] 3 2 1 6
Open in a new tab

Figure 2.

Figure 2.

Open in a new tab

Quality evaluation of included studies. A risk of bias assessment chart displaying the methodological quality of the included studies based on the Jadad scale.

3.3. Results of meta-analysis

3.3.1. Fatigue severity scaleat 5 weeks

Seven articles were carefully analyzed for the fatigue severity scale (FSS) at week 5. The heterogeneity test indicated significant heterogeneity between the studies (I2 = 94%, P < .0001), thus a RE model was employed. The findings suggest that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for improving recent fatigue in patients with CFS (RR = –1.21, 95% CI: −1.38 to −1.04), as depicted in Figure 3.

Figure 3.

Figure 3.

Open in a new tab

Forest plot of FSS at 5 wk. A forest plot showing the effect of acupuncture on fatigue severity at 5 wk, including effect sizes and confidence intervals. FSS = fatigue severity scale.

3.3.2. Fatigue severity scale at 13 weeks

The FSS at week 13 was assessed in 7 articles. The test for heterogeneity revealed significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 95%, P < .0001), leading to the adoption of a RE model. The evidence suggests that acupuncture may be effective in alleviating long-term fatigue in patients with CFS (RR = –0.56, 95% CI: −0.70 to −0.42), as illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 4.

Figure 4.

Open in a new tab

Forest plot of FSS at 13 wk. A forest plot illustrating the impact of acupuncture on fatigue severity at 13 wk, highlighting statistical significance and heterogeneity. FSS = fatigue severity scale.

3.3.3. Somatic and psychological health report

Four articles examining the SPHERE were thoroughly assessed. The heterogeneity test indicated significant heterogeneity across the studies (I2 = 94%, P < .0001), prompting the use of a RE model. The findings suggest that acupuncture may be a beneficial treatment modality for improving somatic and psychological health in patients with CFS (RR = –0.30, 95% CI: −1.03 to 0.44), as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5.

Figure 5.

Open in a new tab

Forest plot of SPHERE scores. A meta-analysis forest plot assessing the effects of acupuncture on somatic and psychological health in CFS patients. CFS = chronic fatigue syndrome, SPHERE = somatic and psychological health report.

3.3.4. Self-rating depression scale

Two articles were meticulously analyzed for the SDS. The heterogeneity test demonstrated significant heterogeneity between the studies (I2 = 42%, P = .19), thus a RE model was applied. The evidence suggests that acupuncture may be effective in improving the psychological status and reducing the occurrence of depression in patients with CFS (RR = –0.28, 95% CI: −2.11 to 1.56), as depicted in Figure 6.

Figure 6.

Figure 6.

Open in a new tab

Forest plot of SDS scores. A summary of the impact of acupuncture on depression symptoms in CFS patients, represented in a forest plot. CFS = chronic fatigue syndrome, SDS = self-rating depression scale.

3.3.5. Assessment of publication bias

The funnel plots of the meta-analysis for the 4 outcome measures are shown in Figure 7. The funnel plots display substantial asymmetry, posing a possible threat of publication bias. The asymmetry may show that studies reporting negative or nonsignificant findings were less likely to be published, hence overestimating acupuncture’s effectiveness for CFS. This small sample size and the variability in study quality may have worsened this bias, causing reduced trustworthiness of the whole meta-analysis.

Figure 7.

Figure 7.

Open in a new tab

Funnel plot for publication bias. A graphical analysis of publication bias shows the distribution of effect sizes across included studies.

4. Discussion

Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by persistent or recurrent generalized deficiency syndrome, with symptoms lasting for more than 6 months and not alleviated by rest. It differs from simple fatigue and presents as a long-term suboptimal state accompanied by various nonspecific clinical manifestations such as flu-like symptoms, sleep disorders, psychiatric abnormalities, and cognitive decline.[24] Currently, the etiology, pathology, and pathogenesis of CFS are not clearly understood in modern medicine. Factors such as psychological stress, endocrine disorders, neuroendocrine genetics, viral infections, immune dysfunction, and environmental factors have been implicated.[25] Studies have indicated that CFS patients may experience abnormal immune system function, dysregulation of the nervous and hormonal systems under stress, affecting multiple systems including the neurological, immune, and digestive systems, leading to the primary symptoms of CFS.[22] CFS is regarded through the lens of TCM as “deficiency labor,” “depression evidence,” “lily disease,” and such other conditions. The primary pathogenesis of the disease is connected to emotional and mood disorders, extremely weak body constitution, overwork, and the disharmony of qi, blood, yin, and yang caused by emotional upset, unwellness, overstress, inappropriate diet, and protracted diseases.[26] Acupuncture has evolved from therapy in ancient China 2500 years ago to a viable global treatment modality because of its efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and safety, with virtually no side effects or infections.[27] Despite the wide applications of acupuncture, the methodological quality of research on it varies tremendously; hence, a critical evaluation of available evidence is needed. Nowadays, with the increasing publication of RCTs, it is now possible to explore the effects of acupuncture in the management of symptoms in patients with CFS.[28]

Therefore, we conducted a rigorous and insightful study that included 9 studies and a total of 908 patients. The meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of acupuncture on various indicators related to fatigue, somatic and mental health, and depression occurrence in patients with CFS. The results of the meta-analysis demonstrated significant improvements in the following measures: FSS at 5 weeks (RR = –1.21, 95% CI: −1.38 to −1.04); FSS at 13 weeks (RR = –0.56, 95% CI: −0.70 to −0.42); SPHERE (RR = –0.30, 95% CI: −1.03 to 0.44); and SDS (RR = –0.28, 95% CI: −2.11 to 1.56). Although these findings suggest acupuncture is beneficial, they must be interpreted cautiously due to significant study heterogeneity and methodological limitations.

A prominent limitation of this meta-analysis is the high heterogeneity among the included studies. Variability in acupuncture technique, length of treatment, control interventions, and outcome measures reflected in the varied results. Fatigue severity generated the highest heterogeneities with I² = 94% for a 5-week follow-up and I² = 95% for a 13-week follow-up, meaning inconsistencies in study design and participant characteristics may have affected the findings.[29] Further, the average quality of included studies was fairly low; the majority of these studies received a Jadad score of 3, highlighting a clear risk of bias. Only 3 studies reported allocation concealment and only 1 examined double-blinding. Blinding is especially problematic in acupuncture studies, as the potential for subjective bias in outcome assessments is further worsened. Also, participant withdrawals and dropouts rarely featured in the Documentation of studies, thus impairing the assessment of attrition bias.[30] Additionally, the criteria of efficacy assessment were inconsistent. Although the assessment in most studies included subjective symptom scales paired with immunological markers, the absence of standardized evaluation protocols hinders the comparability of the findings. Furthermore, only 5 studies reported adverse effects, thus raising doubts over the completeness of safety assessments. Also problematic was the treatment of short follow-up data; it means no conclusion was made concerning the continued emergence of acupuncture in CFS management.[31]

Regarding the results of the funnel plot analysis, significant asymmetry prompted concerns about possible publication bias. Another cause for concern might be selective reporting whereby studies with favorable outcomes get published in preference to those with negative or inconclusive results. Hence, the true effect of acupuncture in the treatment of CFS is most likely being overestimated.[32] Due consideration should be given to the implications of publication bias in interpreting these data. Future systematic reviews should consider minimizing publication bias by including gray literature, data from registered trials, and unpublished studies to portray the available evidence[33] better.

The subsequent step in directing research efforts towards promising directions is to have pragmatic RCTs for CFS treatment generic with respect to acupuncture by introducing standardized reporting guidelines, increasing subjects, and applying the double-blind method to enhance study rigor.[34] First of all, proper allocation concealment and blinding should go alongside randomization techniques in order to ensure that they are all performed in the critical rigors of the hypothesis. Aggrieved in relation to this very practical pooling of knowledge, informed opinions would be loved to apply validation in that sham acupuncture techniques and observer blinding could do well to limit bias.[35] Second, we would like to emphasize the necessity for future trials to develop an established set of outcome measures on the CFS syndrome when treated by acupuncture. Those trials should also present to benefit from validated fatigue scales, psychological tests, and objective biological markers so that future variables can be consistently reported. Adequate documentation of adverse effects should also be a minimum task to certify the safety profile of acupuncture.[36] Third, possible inequities of reason with respect to the benefits of acupuncture in CFS should be instituted in prospects on the long duration. While most of the included studies had generally short follow-up durations, this limited their ability to assess whether the observed improvements were indeed sustained over time. This would help determine how durable any therapeutic effects of acupuncture might actually be.[37] Finally, there is a necessary wide multicentered trial conducted to bring more quality to the representativeness of the trials done looking into this matter due to general comprehension. Many of the included studies had small sample sizes and were conducted solely from 1 institution, causing a steep fall in external validity. Collaboratives looking into this issue in a broad-based way involving diverse populations would go a long way toward stressing the basis of evidence and therefore strengthen its general applicability in the clinical use of acupuncture within the frame of CFS treatment.

5. Conclusion

This systematic review and meta-analysis illustrate that acupuncture can significantly improve fatigue, somatic and mental health, and depression in CFS patients. Such findings support acupuncture as a plausible intervention, though methodological concerns such as heterogeneity among studies and low quality of evidence must be considered. Future high-quality, multicenter RCTs with standardized methodology on CFS should be done to confirm these findings concerning the efficacy and safety of acupuncture.

Author contributions

Conceptualization: Chuwen Feng, Yuanyuan Qu, Jianli Wu, Tao Chen, Tingting Liu, Jing Lu, Shulin Li, Tiansong Yang.

Abbreviations:

CFS
chronic fatigue syndrome
CI
confidence interval
FSS
fatigue severity scale
HPA axis
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
IFN-γ
interferon gamma
IL
interleukin
PICO
population-intervention-comparison-outcome
RCTs
randomized controlled trials
SDS
self-rating depression scale
SPHERE
somatic and psychological health report
TCM
traditional Chinese medicine
TNF-α
tumor necrosis factor alpha

Outstanding Youth Project of Heilongjiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation (YQ2023H019); National Natural Science Foundation of China projects (82305394, 82074539, 82105030); Youth Talent Support Project of the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2023-QNRC2-A04); China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, grant number (2024MD763980); Postdoctoral Program of Heilongjiang Province (LBH-TZ2420, LBH-Z23281); Cooperative scientific research project of “Chunhui Plan” of the Ministry of Education (HZKY20220308-202201357); Youth Talent Support Project of the Heilongjiang Provincial Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2022-QNRC1-05); Research Project of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Heilongjiang Province (ZHY2022-136);

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

How to cite this article: Feng C, Qu Y, Wu J, Chen T, Liu T, Lu J, Li S, Yang T. The efficacy of acupuncture-based chinese medicine in chronic fatigue syndrome: A meta-analysis. Medicine 2025;104:21(e42111).

Contributor Information

Chuwen Feng, Email: fcw19920703@126.com.

Yuanyuan Qu, Email: 18804636690@163.com.

Jianli Wu, Email: wujianli2017@163.com.

Tao Chen, Email: tcm_taochen@163.com.

Tingting Liu, Email: 2211858632@qq.com.

Jing Lu, Email: 1573002377@qq.com.

Shulin Li, Email: lisl0022@163.com.

References

  • [1].Liu CZ, Lei B. Effect of acupuncture on serum malonaldehyde content, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity in chronic fatigue syndrome rats. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2012;37:38–40, 58. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [2].Liu CZ, Lei B. Effect of acupuncture intervention on learning-memory ability and cerebral superoxide dismutase activity and malonaldehyde concentration in chronic fatigue syndrome rats. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2013;38:478–81. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [3].Lu C, Yang XJ, Hu J. Randomized controlled clinical trials of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2014;39:313–7. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [4].Lin W, Chen XL, Chen Q, Wen J, Chen X. Jin’s three-needle acupuncture technique for chronic fatigue syndrome: a study protocol for a multicentre, randomized, controlled trial. Trials. 2019;20:155. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [5].Cui JH, Hu B, Wang XC, Li MZ, Ma QL. Current status of animal experiment report of acupuncture intervention in chronic fatigue syndrome based on ARRIVE guidelines and GSPC list. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2023;48:718–26. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [6].Kim JE, Hong KE, Kim HJ, et al. An open-label study of effects of acupuncture on chronic fatigue syndrome and idiopathic chronic fatigue: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2013;14:147. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [7].Li BB, Feng CW, Qu YY, et al. Research progress on central mechanism of acupuncture treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. World J Acupunct Moxibustion. 2023;33:198–203. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [8].Tang L, Jiang T, ZHu FY, Liu Z, Wu X. Acupuncture therapy on chronic fatigue syndrome based on radar plot: a protocol for an overview of systematic reviews. Medicine (Baltim). 2021;100:e24572. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [9].Zhang W, Liu ZS, Xu HR, Liu YS. Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture of back-shu acupoints for chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2011;36:437–41, 448. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [10].Lijue Z. Acupuncture and Chinese patent drugs for treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. J Tradit Chin Med. 2005;25:99–101. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [11].Mears T. Acupuncture in the treatment of post viral fatigue syndrome – a case report. Acupunct Med. 2005;23:141–5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [12].Wang Q, Xiong JX. Clinical observation on effect of electro-acupuncture on back-shu points in treating chronic fatigue syndrome. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2005;25:834–6. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [13].Kim JE, Seo BK, Choi JB, et al. Acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome and idiopathic chronic fatigue: a multicenter, nonblinded, randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2015;16:314. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [14].Tingting MA, Jie WU, Lijie Y, et al. Ginger-indirect moxibustion plus acupuncture versus acupuncture alone for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. J Tradit Chin Med. 2022;42:242–9. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [15].Ling JY, Shen L, Liu Q, Wang LY. Impacts on chronic fatigue syndrome of qi deficiency syndrome and T cell subgroups in patients treated with acupuncture at selective time. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2013;33:1061–4. Chinese [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [16].Wang JJ, Song YJ, Wu ZC, et al. Randomized controlled clinical trials of acupuncture treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2009;34:120–4. Chinese [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [17].Yiu YM, Ng SM, Tsui YL, Chan YL. A clinical trial of acupuncture for treating chronic fatigue syndrome in Hong Kong. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2007;5:630–3. Chinese [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [18].Chen XH, Li LQ, Zhang W, et al. Randomized controlled study on acupuncture treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2010;30:533–6. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [19].Wang JJ, Song YJ, Wu ZC, et al. Randomized controlled study on influence of acupuncture for life quality of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2009;29:780–4. Chinese [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [20].Xu YX, Luo HS, Sun D, Wang R, Cai J. Acupuncture in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome based on “interaction of brain and kidney” in TCM: a randomized controlled trial. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2019;39:123–7. Chinese [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [21].Qi Y, Song S, Dou Z, et al. Chaihu Longgu Muli decoction combined with acupuncture at back-shu points for chronic fatigue syndrome. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2017;37:1187–90. Chinese [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [22].Yao R. The thoughts and methods for clinical research on acupuncture treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. J Tradit Chin Med. 2007;27:163–5. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [23].Xu W, Zhou RH, Li l, Jiang MW. Observation on therapeutic effect of chronic fatigue syndrome treated with coiling dragon needling and moving cupping on back. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2012;32:205–8. Chinese [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [24].Huang Y, Liao XM, Li XX, Song YB. Clinical observation on the effects of Bo’s abdominal acupuncture in 40 cases of chronic fatigue syndrome. J Tradit Chin Med. 2008;28:264–6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [25].Hui JS. Acupuncture treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. J Tradit Chin Med. 2009;29:234–6. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [26].Zhang F, Shen Y, Li J, Wang C. Auricular acupuncture for insomnia of chronic fatigue syndrome: a case report. Acupunct Med. 2020;38:366–8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [27].Yiu YM, Ng SM, Tsui YL, Chan YL. A clinical trial of acupuncture for treating chronic fatigue syndrome in Hong Kong. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2007;5:630–3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [28].Guo J. Chronic fatigue syndrome treated by acupuncture and moxibustion in combination with psychological approaches in 310 cases. J Tradit Chin Med. 2007;27:92–5. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [29].He J, Yu Q, Wu C, et al. Acupuncture of the Beishu acupoint participates in regulatory effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on T cell subsets of rats with chronic fatigue syndrome. Ann Palliat Med. 2020;9:3436–46. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [30].Li YH, Ma QL, Hu B, Wang ZL. Current state about researches on selection of experimental indexs mechanisms of acupuncture underlying improvement of chronic fatigue syndrome. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2021;46:980–4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [31].Kim JE, Seo BK, Choi JB, et al. Acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome and idiopathic chronic fatigue: a multicenter, nonblinded, randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2015;16:314. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [32].Wang C, Xie WJ, Liu M, et al. Effect of manual acupuncture stimulation of “Baihui” (GV 20), etc. on serum IFN-gamma and IL-4 contents in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2014;39:387–9. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [33].Chen XH, Li LQ, Zhang W, et al. Randomized controlled study on acupuncture treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2010;30:533–6. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [34].Yin ZH, Wang LJ, Cheng Y, et al. Acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome: an overview of systematic reviews. Chin J Integr Med. 2021;27:940–6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [35].Fang Y, Yue BW, Ma HB, Yuan YP. Acupuncture and moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltim). 2022;101:e29310. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [36].Zhang Q, Gong J, Dong H, Xu S, Wang W, Huang G. Acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acupunct Med. 2019;37:211–22. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • [37].Wang T, Xu C, Pan K, Xiong H. Acupuncture and moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017;17:163. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Medicine are provided here courtesy of Wolters Kluwer Health

RESOURCES