Shu, Qing, Wang, Hua, Litscher, Daniela et al. · Scientific reports · 2016 · DOI
This study tested whether two traditional Chinese medicine treatments—acupuncture and moxibustion (warming therapy)—could help reduce fatigue in ME/CFS patients. Forty-five people were divided into three groups: two received acupuncture and one received moxibustion. Both treatments reduced fatigue, but moxibustion appeared to work better, especially over the long term, possibly by calming the nervous system.
ME/CFS patients have few evidence-based treatment options and often experience significant functional limitations from fatigue. This study suggests acupuncture and moxibustion may help regulate autonomic dysfunction—a recognized feature of ME/CFS—offering potential low-risk complementary approaches worth further investigation.
This pilot study does not establish that acupuncture or moxibustion is definitively effective for ME/CFS; small sample size and lack of adequate blinding limit generalizability. The proposed mechanism (vagal activation) is inferred from HRV changes rather than directly proven. The study cannot determine whether benefits persist after treatment cessation or compare effectiveness to other standard treatments.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
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