Table 2

Changes in the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) components and DAS 28 scores for the three groups of patients after 10 weeks

Electro-acupuncture (EA) (n = 12)

Traditional acupuncture (TCA) (n = 12)

Sham Acupuncture (n = 12)

Baseline

Week 10

Baseline

Week 10

Baseline

Week 10

Pain (VAS, 0–10)

6.0 ± 2.1

5.7 ± 2.3

5.4 ± 2.8

5.1 ± 2.9

6.5 ± 2.0

5.1 ± 1.9

Swollen Joints

3.0 (0.3–6.0)

3.5 (1.3–4.0)

6.5 (4.3–9.8)

4.0 (2.3–6.8)

4.0 (2.0–7.8)

3.5 (1.3–5.0)

Tender joints

9.0 (3.0–13.5)

3.5 (2.0–9.0)*

13.0 (8.0–19.0)

9.0 (4.3–12.5)*

6.5 (4.0–17.3)

6.0 (2.0–12.5)

Patient's Global (VAS, 0–10)

6.4 ± 2.2

5.8 ± 2.1

6.4 ± 2.2

5.0 ± 2.4*

6.8 ± 2.3

5.0 ± 2.4*

Physician's Global (VAS, 0–10)

5.3 ± 2.1

4.0 ± 2.1*

6.0 ± 1.8

4.7 ± 2.1

5.1 ± 2.0

4.8 ± 2.3

ESR (mm/hr)

59 ± 33

58 ± 36

53 ± 26

59 ± 26

64 ± 41

66 ± 43

CRP (mg/l)

12.7 (5.6–46.7)

13.3 (5.6–38.2)

8.1 (4.3–24.4)

12.7 (5.1–43.1)

12.2 (5.0–43.6)

10.2 (4.9–36.2)

HAQ

1.5 ± 0.7

1.3 ± 0.7

1.6 ± 0.6

1.5 ± 0.7

1.4 ± 1.0

1.3 ± 0.9

DAS28

4.5 ± 1.0

4.4 ± 1.0

4.8 ± 1.2

4.7 ± 1.1

4.5 ± 1.3

4.4 ± 1.1

Data were expressed as mean ± SD or median (IQR). VAS = visual analog scale. ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate. CRP = C-reactive protein. HAQ = health assessment questionnaire. DAS 28 = disease activity score using the 28 joint counts. * p < 0.05 comparing before and after treatment.

Tam et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2007 7:35   doi:10.1186/1472-6882-7-35