Effectiveness of Acupressure Treatment for Pain Management and Fatigue Relief in Gulf War Veterans
Abstract
25~30% Gulf War veterans suffer Gulf War Illness (GWI) have one or more chronic symptoms such as fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and memory and/or mental problems. These symptoms significantly interfere with their motor function and quality of life. The purpose of this study is to provide symptomatic veterans with acupressure treatment and determine its effectiveness in fatigue relief and pain management for GWI disease. RESULTS: Four subjects have completed the study protocol (two subject for Acupressure and two for Reiki). The results look promising and are indicative of the Acupressure potential for pain management and fatigue relief in veterans with GWI. Pain scale and fatigue scale decreased during the intervention. EMG data in both groups shows increased mean EMG power after the fatiguing task. EMG power differences became smaller for acupressure group, especially for FDI and ED muscles during the treatment period. EEG power spectra offer a quantitative realization of which frequencies contributing to the overall signal in brain output. EEG showed that acupressure patients exhibited lower theta band EEG power, relative to before treatment, while Reiki group did not how such relationship. In comparison to their pre-treatment levels, the increase in CMFC for 12 pairs strongly suggests that continuing acupressure treatment, in addition to routine clinical care, has a positive effect on brain-to-muscle descending motor signal. This knowledge may lead to further refinement of the protocol as well as advancements in acupressure intervention for veterans with GWI.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1041450
Entities
People
- Vernon Lin