OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the short-term and long-term efficacy on cervical spondylosis of neck type between warm needling therapy in the regions of both neck and lumbus and that only in the region of neck.

METHODSEighty-one patients of cervical spondylosis of neck type were randomized into group A (41 cases) and group B (40 cases), in which 2 cases dropped out. Finally, 40 cases in the group A and 39 cases in the group B accomplished the trial. In the group A, the warm needling therapy was applied to the acupoints in the region of neck and the lumbus. Fengchi (GB 20), Tianzhu (BL 10), Neck-Bailao (EX-HN 15), Wangu (GB 12), Tianyou (TE 16) and(including the tender points and code-like masses on palpation) were selected in the region of neck. Dachangshu (BL 25), Qihaishu (BL 24) and Jiaji (EX-B 2) of L5 were selected in the region of lumbus. The warm needling was applied to Fengchi (GB 20), Tianzhu (BL 10), Dachangshu (BL 25). In the group B, the warm needling therapy was applied only to the acupoints in the neck, which were same as the group A. The treatment was given once every two days, three times a week in the two groups. Separately, before treatment, 1 week after treatment, at the end of 2-week treatment and at the end of 1 month follow-up, the score of neck pain questionnaire (NPQ), the score of range of motion (ROM) in the cervical region and the score of the cervical symptoms were recorded. The efficacy at the end of treatment and in the follow-up was evaluated.

RESULTSCompared with those before treatment, the scores at all the observation time points were significantly improved in the two groups after treatment (all<0.05). In the follow-up, NPQ score, ROM score and the score of cervicalsymptoms were different significantly between the two groups (all<0.05). The results in the group A were better than those in the group B. At the end of 2-week treatment, the total effective rate was 92.5% (37/40) in the group A and was 87.2% (34/39) in the group B (>0.05). In the follow-up, the total effective rate was 87.5% (35/40) in the group A, better than 64.1% (25/39) in the group B (<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe treatment for both neck and lumbar regions with warm needling therapy and the treatment in the local area all achieve the short-term efficacy on cervical spondylosis of neck type. For the long-term efficacy, the treatment for both neck and lumbar regions achieves the better result as compared with the routine treatment in the region of neck.