OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture with twirling reducing method for tinnitus of excessive liver-fire type.

METHODSOne hundred and one patients with tinnitus of excessive liver-fire type were randomly divided into a twirling reducing method group (35 cases), a needle retaining group (33 cases) and a physical therapy group (33 cases). The patients in the twirling reducing method group were treated by acupuncture at Tinggong (SI 19), Tinghui (GB 2), Yifeng (TE 17), Zhongzhu (TE 3), Waiguan (TE 5), Xiaxi (GB 43), Taichong (LR 3), Qiuxu (GB 40), while the strong low-frequency twirling reducing method was applied at Xiaxi (GB 43) and Taichong (LR 3); the patients in the needle retaining group were treated with identical acupoints and needle insertion manipulation, but no reducing method was applied after needle insertion. Needles were all retained for 30 min. The patients in the physical therapy group were treated with laser and ultrashort wave. All the treatment was given once a day; one session was consisted of 7 days of treatment, and there was an interval of 2 days between sessions; totally 3 sessions were given. Before and after treatment, the tinnitus severity scale, the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) and clinical efficacy were compared in the three groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the tinnitus severity scale and THI in the three groups were reduced (all<0.05), and the scores in the twirling reducing method group were lower than those in the physical therapy group (both<0.05). After treatment, the cured and markedly effective rate was 71.4% (25/35) in the twirling reducing method group, which was higher than 42.4% (14/33) in the physical therapy group (<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe efficacy of acupuncture with twirling reducing method for tinnitus of excessive liver-fire type is superior to that of physical therapy.