O uso da acupuntura para o tratamento e melhora da qualidade de vida de indivíduos com fibromialgia

Abstract

According to the WHO (World Health Organization), Fibromyalgia is a multifactorial non-inflammatory syndrome characterized by chronic widespread pain that has a prevalence of 2% in women and 0.5% in men, predominantly affecting soft tissues such as muscles and joints. In addition, this condition is often associated with significant comorbidities such as anxiety, depression, mood fluctuations and psychological disorders. One of the therapeutic proposals for relieving pain and improving the quality of life of fibromyalgia patients is acupuncture, a therapeutic method of Chinese origin. Acupuncture as a treatment for patients with fibromyalgia results in an improvement in pain and a reduction in the overall use of medication, as well as a change in the concentration of pain modulators, such as serotonin and substance P. Thus, this study aims to carry out a literature review to determine the effect of acupuncture for the treatment and improvement of the quality of life of individuals with fibromyalgia. The methodology adopted in this research was a narrative bibliographic review of the literature, with the inclusion criteria established for the selection of articles being: randomized and non-randomized clinical trials. 256 articles were found linked to the combination of keywords and at the end of the analysis 6 articles were included in the review. In the Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) analyzed it was clear that acupuncture demonstrates efficacy in reducing pain and fatigue, improving sleep, anxiety and the quality of life of affected patients. The conclusion is that acupuncture therapy is effective for patients with fibromyalgia, providing pain relief, relaxation, improved fatigue, reduced pain intensity, and a significant improvement in sleep quality and quality of life.