OBJECTIVETo evaluate the differences in the therapeutic effects on relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) at remission stage between acupuncture at acupoints and shallow needling therapy at the nearby points.

METHODSForty-two patients of RRMS were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 21 cases in each one. In the observation group, besides the basic treatment, acupuncture was applied according to's empirical prescriptions as "the empirical ten needles" "thirteen needles of the governor vessel" "twelve needles of hand and foot" as well as the symptomatic points. In the control group, the basic treatment was given. Additionally, the shallow needling therapy was given at the sites 0.2 to 0.3lateral to the acupoints, and the arrival ofwas not required. In the two groups, acupuncture was given once a day for 5 days a week, continuously for 2 weeks. At the intervals of 2 weeks, totally the treatment of 3 months was required. The follow-up visit was conducted for 2 years. Separately, the scores of the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) before and in follow-up after treatment, the annual recurrent rate before and after treatment and recurrent interval after treatment were observed in the patients of the two groups.

RESULTSIn the observation group, EDSS scores in 3-month and 6-month follow-up were reduced as compared with those before treatment (both<0.05) and those in the 12-month and 24-month follow-up were increased (both<0.05). In the control group, EDSS scores were increased in tendency continuously in 3-month, 6-month, 12-month and 24-month follow-up (all<0.05). In each time point of follow-up, the different value of EDSS scores in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (<0.05,<0.01). The annual recurrent rates after treatment were reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (both<0.01) and the value in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (<0.01). The recurrent interval in the observation group was longer than that in the control group[(441.56±65.37) d vs (382.78±59.33) d,<0.01].

CONCLUSIONSAcupuncture achieves the significant therapeutic effects on RRMS at the remission stage. This therapy relieves the symptoms of neural functional deficits, delays the time of occurrence and reduces the annual recurrent rate.