Zhang, Wei, Liu, Zhi-Shun, Xu, Hai-Rong et al. · Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research · 2011
This study tested whether acupuncture at specific points on the back could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Researchers treated 120 patients with either real acupuncture at traditional healing points or fake acupuncture at non-therapeutic locations. Both groups showed some improvement in fatigue and quality of life, but the real acupuncture group had better results and higher satisfaction after 4 weeks and 3 months.
CFS patients have limited treatment options, and acupuncture is used by some patients seeking symptom relief. This study provides controlled evidence that back-point acupuncture may offer benefit beyond placebo for fatigue and functional outcomes. Understanding which complementary approaches show measurable improvement can help patients and clinicians make informed decisions.
This study does not prove acupuncture cures or fundamentally changes the disease process of CFS. The significant improvement in the sham acupuncture control group suggests placebo effect is a substantial component of benefit. The study does not establish the mechanism of action, optimal treatment duration, long-term durability, or whether benefits persist beyond 3 months.
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 →
The first block is for the primary paper and is the citation you should use in research work. The atlas-snapshot line only applies if you are specifically referring to this atlas’s reading of the paper on the date shown.
Primary citation
Zhang, Wei, Liu, Zhi-Shun, Xu, Hai-Rong, & Liu, Yuan-Shi (2011). [Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture of Back-shu acupoints for chronic fatigue syndrome patients].. Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22379791/
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-zhang-2011-observation-therapeutic,
author = {Zhang, Wei and Liu, Zhi-Shun and Xu, Hai-Rong and Liu, Yuan-Shi},
title = {[Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture of Back-shu acupoints for chronic fatigue syndrome patients].},
journal = {Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research},
year = {2011},
note = {PubMed: 22379791},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/zhang-2011-observation-therapeutic},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-30. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/zhang-2011-observation-therapeutic
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