Acupuncture for the Treatment of Dry Eye: A Multicenter Randomised Controlled Trial with Active Comparison Intervention (Artificial Teardrops)

Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate the effects of acupuncture compared to a control group using artificial tears.Methods Setting & design: multicenter randomised controlled trial (three local research hospitals of South Korea). Study Population: 150 patients with moderate to severe dry eye. Intervention: Participants were randomly allocated into four weeks of acupuncture treatment (bilateral BL2, GB14, TE 23, Ex1, ST1, GB20, LI4, LI11 and single GV23) or to the artificial tears group (sodium carboxymethylcellulose). Main Outcome Measure(s): The ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear film break-up time (TFBUT), Schirmer Ι test, visual analogue scale (VAS) for self-assessment of ocular discomfort, general assessment (by both acupuncture practitioners and participants) and quality of life (QOL) through the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile-2 (MYMOP-2).ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference between two groups for the improvement of dry eye symptoms as measured by OSDI (MD −16.11, 95% CI [−20.91, −11.32] with acupuncture and −15.37, 95% CI [−19.57, −11.16] with artificial tears; P = 0.419), VAS (acupuncture: −23.84 [−29.59, −18.09]; artificial tears: −22.2 [−27.24, −17.16], P = 0.530) or quality of life (acupuncture: −1.32 [−1.65, −0.99]; artificial tears: −0.96 [−1.32, −0.6], P = 0.42) immediately after treatment. However, compared with artificial tears group, the OSDI (acupuncture: −16.15 [−21.38, −10.92]; artificial tears: −10.76 [−15.25, −6.27], P = 0.030) and VAS (acupuncture: −23.88 [−30.9, −16.86]; artificial tears: −14.71 [−20.86, −8.55], P = 0.018) were significantly improved in the acupuncture group at 8 weeks after the end of acupuncture treatment. TFBUT measurements increased significantly in the acupuncture group after treatment.ConclusionsAcupuncture may have benefits on the mid-term outcomes related to dry eye syndrome compared with artificial tears.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01105221.

Proteomic analysis of tears following acupuncture treatment for menopausal dry eye disease by two-dimensional nano-liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

“…According to recent studies, acupuncture may benefit midterm outcomes related to dry eye syndrome in comparison with artificial tears. 8 For example, acupuncture was found to improve the signs and symptoms of dry eye in patients after 4 weeks of treatment. 9 However, the effectiveness and mechanisms of acupuncture on postmenopausal dry eye have not yet been reported.…”

Comparative evaluation of efficacy and safety of Carboxymethylcellulose either alone or in combination with Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory drug in the treatment of Dry eye in a Tertiary care Teaching Hospital

“…14,16,18,19 Improvement in OSDI score during the study period is comparable to previous studies. 6,16,20 At 12 weeks, comparison was done between Group I and Group II. No intergroup difference was found between the groups with respect to Schirmer's and TBUT test, but signifi cant difference was found in OSDI score between the two study groups, this is in accordance with previous study 21 ( Figure 4).…”

Acupuncture for treatment of dry eyes – still doubtful

“…The two new studies (published in 2012) that were added to the present analysis were the two largest, but they too suffered from a lack of double‐blinding. One of these studies found the observed effect decreased by the end of treatment, whereas the other found the effect was sustained until 8 weeks after treatment . Clearly, this difference leads to questions regarding the design of the studies.…”

“…One of these studies found the observed effect decreased by the end of treatment, 2 whereas the other found the effect was sustained until 8 weeks after treatment. 3 Clearly, this difference leads to questions regarding the design of the studies. However, this was not commented upon in the present analysis.…”