Short-term effect of acupuncture on intraocular pressure in healthy subjects.

Purpose To evaluate the short-term effect of acupuncture on the intraocular pressure (I0P) in healthy subjects. Methods A randomised controlled double-blinded trial was performed. 48 healthy volunteers (94 eyes) were randomly allocated to three groups: acupuncture group--19 subjects (38 eyes) were submitted to a 20 min session of acupuncture (GB1, GB14 and BL1); sham group--14 subjects (27 eyes) were submitted to a 20 min session of acupuncture with needles inserted in false points; and control group--15 subjects (29 eyes) who underwent no intervention. All subjects had the I0P measured by a masked investigator using Goldmann applanation tonometry immediately before intervention, as well as 20 min and 24 h after. Results The mean (SD) I0P in the acupuncture group was 17.9 (3.3) mm Hg at baseline, 16.4 (3.9) mm Hg at 20 min and 16.3 (3.3) mm Hg at 24 h. The mean (SD) I0P in the sham group was 18.6 (3.3) mm Hg at baseline, 17.7 (2.6) mm Hg at 20 min and 15.9 (3.6) mm Hg at 24 h. The mean (SD) I0P in the control group was 16.9 (3.5) mm Hg at baseline, 16.5 (3.8) mm Hg at 20 min and 15.8 (3.3) mm Hg at 24 h. There was no statistically significant difference in the I0P variation (post-intervention minus baseline measurements) between groups after 20 min (p=0.13) and 24 h (p=0.21). Conclusion Acupuncture in the studied points did not produce significant short-term effect on the I0P of healthy individuals in comparison with control groups. Clinical Trials Registration Number: NCT00639977