Acupuncture treatment in a case of atopic dermatitis in combination with medicinal therapy
10.3777/jjsam.57.16
- VernacularTitle:皮膚科の標準治療に中医弁証による鍼灸治療を併用したアトピー性皮膚炎の１症例
- Author:
Shunji SAKAGUCHI
;
Natsuko IHARA
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
acupuncture treatment;
atopic dermatitis;
traditional Chinese medical theory;
Itching
- From:Journal of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion
2007;57(1):16-24
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
Atopic dermatitis is influenced by both environmental and hereditary factors. Many contributing factors make therapy difficult, and patients must be treated individually. We report herein the clinical effects of acupuncture treatment in combination with medicinal therapy in a patient with atopic dermatitis.
A 20-year-old male was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis in early elementary school. Topical corticosteroids improved symptoms, but these recurred at 18 years old, and treatment had since been continuous. Acupuncture treatment was mainly performed on ST36 (Zusanli, Ashi Sanli), LR3 (Taichong, Taisho), GB34 (Yanglingquan, Yoryosen), PC6 (Neiguan, Naikan) and BL20 (Pishu, Hiyu) according to traditional Chinese medical theory, once a week, for 8 sessions.
To examine the effects of treatment, an itching diary devised by Kawashima was adopted for outcome measures; visual analogue scale (VAS), state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), counts of eosinophils (Eo) and white blood cells (WBC) in peripheral blood and serum IgE. Itching improved after 8 acupuncture treatments. In particular, finger VAS (mm) improved from 34 to 24, popliteal VAS from 22 to 9, and dorsal VAS from 67 to 31. STAI score from 49 to 33 in anxiety content. Eo (%) changed from 4.6 to 1.9, WBC (/μl) from 6,100 to 4,300 and serum IgE (IU/ml) from 72 to 70. Either blood test was a change in a standard value.
These results suggest that acupuncture treatment in combination with medicinal therapy is effective for improving atopic dermatitis.
