Results of combined treatment of herpes zoster with bloodletting pricking therapy and acupuncture
- VernacularTitle: Бүслүүр үлд өвчний эмчилгээнд самнуур заслыг зүү эмчилгээтэй хавсруулан эмчилсэн үр дүн
- Author:
Su Bu De
1
,
2
;
Lagshmaa B
3
;
Bolortulga Z
1
;
Zandi N
1
;
Oyuntsetseg N
1
Author Information
1. Department of Traditional Medicine, International School of Mongolian Medicine, MNUMS
2. Inner Mongolian International Mongolian Hospital, Inner Mongolia, P.R.China
3. Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, International School of Mongolian Medicine, MNUMS
- Publication Type:Clinical Trial
- Keywords:
Herpes zoster;
Traditional therapy;
VAS, Short Form-12
- From:
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences
2025;88(4):160-164
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Background:Herpes zoster (shingles) is an acute inflammatory skin disease caused by the reactivation of the Varicel
la-zoster virus. International studies show that the disease severely reduces patients’ quality of life, and chronic pain
negatively affects daily activities. In clinical practice, bloodletting pricking therapy has been effectively used for herpes
zoster, with positive effects including reducing disease symptoms, alleviating skin inflammation, and promoting skin
regeneration. Due to the limited research on treating herpes zoster with combined bloodletting pricking therapy and acu
puncture, this clinical study was conducted.
Aim:To evaluate the effectiveness of combining bloodletting pricking therapy with acupuncture in patients diagnosed
with herpes zoster.
Materials and Methods:The study was conducted using a non-randomized clinical trial design based at the Internation
al School of Mongolian Medicine of MNUMS and the Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Medicine Committee
(IMIMC). The study included 70 patients diagnosed with herpes zoster (ICD 10-B02.9) who met the inclusion criteria.
The treatment group received bloodletting pricking therapy combined with acupuncture. The control group received
Acyclovir 800 mg 5 times daily for 7-10 days and Pregabalin 75 mg twice daily for 14 days. Treatment effectiveness was
evaluated using the VAS linear scale for pain assessment, the SF-12 (Short Form-12 health survey) questionnaire for qual
ity of life, and the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) to measure sleep quality and evaluate insomnia. The treatment outcome
was assessed according to the Mongolian Traditional Medicine Diagnostic and Treatment Standards.
Results:The average age of participants was 47.29±11.11 in the treatment group and 44.43±11.63 in the control group,
with 34% male and 66% female participants. According to the VAS linear scale, the treatment group showed a statistically
significant greater reduction in pain (P<0.001). The quality-of-life assessment using the SF-12 questionnaire showed that
the Physical Component Summary (SF-12-PCS) in the treatment group increased from 32.71±7.38 before treatment to
52.99±2.02 after treatment (t=-17.18, p<0.001), while in the control group, it increased from 36.10±7.41 to 51.56±7.9
(SF-12-3.9) (p<0.001). According to the AIS questionnaire, the sleep quality in the treatment group was significantly
better than in the control group (P<0.05). According to the Mongolian Traditional Medicine Diagnostic and Treatment
Standards, the combined treatment of pricking therapy and acupuncture resulted in a 100% recovery rate.
Conclusion:1. The combination of bloodletting pricking therapy and acupuncture in treating herpes zoster effectively reduces pain.
2. For patients diagnosed with herpes zoster, combining bloodletting pricking therapy with acupuncture effectively
improves quality of life in terms of sleep quality as well as physical and mental functioning.
- Full text:2025052212284517878160-164.pdf
