OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect differences between infraoccipital needle-knife and massage for cervical vertigo.

METHODSA total of 366 patients with cervical vertigo were randomly assigned into a needle-knife group (186 cases) and a massage group (180 cases). With cases dropping excluded, 183 cases in the needle-knife group and 176 cases in the massage group were included. Needle-knife was used at Fengchi (GB 20), infraoccipitalpoint, etc. in the needle-knife group. The treatment was given for one course, once three days, 5 times as one course. The traditional massage was applied in the massage group for one course, including systematic stroking, kneading, and the application of pressure and plucking, etc., once every two days and 7 times as one course. The dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) score was observed before and after treatment, as well as 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. The effects were also evaluated.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 92.3% (169/183) in the needle-knife group, which was better than 85.2% (150/176) in the massage group (<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the DHI scores at all the observation time points after treatment were improved in the two groups (all<0.05), with better improvements after treatment as well as 3 and 6 months after treatment in the needle-knife group (all<0.05). There was no significant difference in the improvement of DHI scores between the two groups 12 months after treatment (>0.05). The recurrence rate was 10.3% (12/117) in the needle-knife group, and it was 10.7% (11/103) in the massage group 12 months after treatment (>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSInfraoccipital needle-knife achieves apparent effect for cervical vertigo, which is superior to massage in short period.