Effects of acupuncture on uremic pruritus in patients undergoing hemodialysis

Uremic pruritus is a problem in patients undergoing hemodialysis because it reduces their quality of life. Even with several advancements in dialysis techniques, recent therapies do not provide optimum results. Acupuncture is a complementary therapy to alleviate the symptoms of uremic pruritus in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This study identified the effects of acupuncture therapy in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Thirty-seven patients with uremic pruritus undergoing hemodialysis were randomly divided into two groups: acupuncture group (n = 18), who received acupuncture treatment at a single point (LI11 Quchi), and control group (n = 19), who received acupuncture treatment using a placebo needle (the Park Sham Device). This was performed simultaneously with hemodialysis therapy twice a week for 12 times. Pruritus scores were assessed using 5D pruritus questionnaire before treatment; after the 4^th, 8^th, and 12^th acupuncture treatment; and at 4 and 8 weeks follow-up. Significant differences were observed in the 5D pruritus scores of the acupuncture and control groups after the end of acupuncture treatment (7.89±0.832 vs 10.63±3.166; p = 0.003) and at 4 weeks follow-up (8.06±1.830 vs. 10.95±3.341; p = 0.001). Acupuncture treatment is effective in lowering the pruritus score of patients with uremic pruritus undergoing hemodialysis twice a week.