OBJECTIVETo compare the effects between resuscitation acupuncture and pregabalin for thalamic pain and their impacts on plasma P substance (SP) and β-endorphin (β-EP).

METHODSSixty-four patients were randomly assigned into an acupuncture group and a western medication group, 32 cases in each one. Based on conventional western methods, pregabalin capsule was used orally in the western medication group, 75 mg a time,twice a day; resuscitation acupuncture was applied in the acupuncture group. The main acupoints were Shuigou (GV 26), Neiguan (PC 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6). Patients with upper limb pain were attached affected Jiquan (HT 1), Chize (LU 5), and Hegu (LI 4); lower limb pain, affected Weizhong (BL 40), Zusanli (ST 36); hea-dache, bilateral Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), and Yifeng (TE 17), twice a day. Treatment was given 6 d a week for 8 weeks in the two groups. The changes of simplified McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ), plasma SP and β-EP were observed before and after 4-week, 8-week treatment, as well as at follow-up, namely, 3 months after treatment. Also, clinical effects were evaluated.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of the acupuncture group was 50.0% (16/32) after 4-week treatment, which was similar to 46.9% (15/32) in the western medication group (>0.05). While after 8-week treatment and at follow-up, the total effective rates of the acupuncture group were 90.6% (29/32) and 84.4% (27/32), which were better than 65.6% (21/32) and 40.6% (13/32) of the western medication group correspondingly (both<0.05). After 4-week, 8-week treatment and at follow-up, the pain scores of the acupuncture group were lower than that before treatment (all<0.05). After 4-week and 8-week treatment, the pain scores of the western medication group were lower than that before treatment (both<0.05). After 8-week treatment and at follow-up, the pain scores of the acupuncture group were superior to thoseof the western medication group (both<0.05). After 4-week and 8-week treatment,the contents of plasma SP reduced compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all<0.05), and plasma β-EP increased (all<0.05). After 8-week treatment, SP content of the acupuncture group was apparently lower than that of the western medication group (<0.05), and β-EP increased more obviously (<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSResuscitation acupuncture can effectively relieve the symptoms of thalamic pain with stable and long-term effect, and it is better than pregabalin. Meanwhile, the acupuncture can increase β-EP and reduce SP.